IMA president’s Morocco visit strengthens cultural ties and heritage projects

The newly appointed president of the Institut du monde arabe (IMA), Anne-Claire Legendre, made her first official visit to Morocco since taking office, marking a strategic step in deepening cultural and educational collaboration between the two nations. Speaking at a press conference held at the French Institute in Casablanca on June 22, she emphasized Morocco’s pivotal role as a founding member of the IMA since 1982 and described the Kingdom as a “trusted partner” in preserving and promoting shared cultural heritage.

This visit aligns with a busy Franco-Moroccan diplomatic schedule. During her meeting with Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, Legendre discussed the IMA’s role in strengthening bilateral relations, particularly ahead of a high-level government meeting scheduled for July 2026 and the upcoming return state visit of King Mohammed VI to France. The IMA aims to play an active role in this renewed partnership dynamic.

The itinerary began in Rabat on June 19 with a working session with Youth, Culture, and Communication Minister Mehdi Bensaid. This was followed by a tour of the historic Chellah archaeological site and the National Institute of Archaeological Sciences and Heritage (INSAP). In Casablanca, a gathering at the National Library brought together leaders from the National Archives, the Moroccan Film Archive, and the National Higher Institute of Music and Dance (INSMAC). The visit also included a meeting with Fihr Kettani, president of the Federation of Cultural and Creative Industries and founder of the Living Arts Studio. The journey concluded in Marrakech with exchanges with prominent figures from the national and international art scenes, including Meriem Berrada, curator of the first Moroccan pavilion at the 2026 Venice Biennale, and Alexis Sornin, director of the Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé Berber Arts Museums. The trip wrapped up in Casablanca with the inauguration of the Museum of Photography and Visual Arts, attended by Mehdi Qotbi, president of the National Federation of Museums.

Archaeology: spotlighting Morocco’s research on the global stage

Archaeology emerged as a central pillar of the discussions. Legendre described her visit to INSAP as an opportunity to “understand the path of Moroccan archaeology.” The institute currently trains over 170 students and collaborates with major French institutions such as Inrap, CNRS, the Collège de France, and ENS. Rather than focusing on training—already well-established in Morocco—the emphasis is on “highlighting research,” particularly groundbreaking findings from sites like Volubilis, Banassa, and discoveries that have revised the timeline of Homo sapiens development. These advances remain “largely unknown to the European public,” she noted, and the IMA plans to develop an exhibition in Paris dedicated to Arab world archaeology upon returning.

The cultural and creative industries (CCI) sector also took center stage. Legendre highlighted Morocco and Saudi Arabia as the two most prominent Arab countries in video games and animation. The IMA is set to contribute to the Esports World Cup in France, at Saudi Arabia’s request, aligning with plans to redesign the IMA museum starting in 2027, which will incorporate immersive and gamified experiences.

To support emerging Arab creators, the IMA announced three annual awards in fashion, design, and contemporary art, to be presented alongside major Parisian events like Fashion Week, Paris Design Week, and Paris+ by Art Basel. Winners will receive residencies, exhibition opportunities, and professional mentorship in France. This initiative responds to repeated requests from young Moroccan artists during the visit for better networking and residency opportunities within the IMA’s global network.

Photography, literature, and the Arabic language

The inauguration of the Museum of Photography and Visual Arts in Casablanca solidified a partnership initially discussed with Mehdi Qotbi. This collaboration leverages the IMA’s photothèque, which houses 86,000 photographs, including a significant collection documenting Morocco through multiple photographic campaigns. Legendre expressed her intention to “share these resources with Moroccan partners.”

The role of the book and the Arabic language was also a key topic. Legendre called for “expanding Arabic language education in France” and announced plans to work with Moroccan partners to identify contemporary literary works from the Arab and Moroccan scenes for translation and distribution to French and European publishers. This effort coincides with Rabat’s designation as the Arab Book Capital for 2026 and addresses a perceived “lack of visibility” among French publishers in seeking out and promoting contemporary Arab literature.

Two major exhibitions are scheduled at the IMA for the second half of 2026. The first, titled “Long Live the Bride!,” will explore marriage rituals and objects across Morocco’s regions, including their evolution within the diaspora. The second will highlight the cultural and artistic richness of the Alhambra during the Nasrid era and its influence on Moroccan architecture, craftsmanship, and contemporary art.

The entire visit culminated in finalizing a cultural cooperation roadmap between the IMA and Morocco. Legendre confirmed that a draft proposal had already been submitted, and the purpose of the trip was to “concretize” this document with “quantifiable goals.” The roadmap will be structured around upcoming bilateral milestones, starting with the government meeting in July 2026. As the IMA celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2027—a year that will also see the launch of its museum’s redesign—the institution is entering a transformative phase.