Anne-Claire Legendre charts new cultural ties with Morocco during IMA visit

Anne-Claire Legendre made her priorities clear from the outset during a press briefing at the French Institute in Casablanca on June 22. This marked her first official visit to Morocco in her capacity as President of the Institut du monde arabe (IMA). The Kingdom, a founding member of the IMA since 1982, has long been a trusted partner, collaborating on projects that highlight the nation’s cultural wealth and heritage.

The visit aligns with a busy Franco-Moroccan diplomatic calendar. During her meeting with Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, Legendre emphasized the IMA’s role in strengthening bilateral relations, particularly ahead of a joint government meeting scheduled for July 2026 and the anticipated return state visit of King Mohammed VI to France. The IMA aims to play a central role in this evolving partnership.

The four-day program began in Rabat on June 19 with a working session with Youth, Culture and Communication Minister Mehdi Bensaid. The agenda included a tour of the historic Chellah site and the National Institute of Archaeological Sciences and Heritage (INSAP). In Casablanca, discussions at the National Library brought together leaders from the National Archives, the Moroccan Cinematheque, and the National Superior Institute of Music and Dance (INSMAC). The program also featured a meeting with Fihr Kettani, President of the Federation of Cultural and Creative Industries (ICC) and founder of the Studio des Arts Vivants. The delegation concluded in Marrakech with engagements with prominent figures such as Meriem Berrada, curator of Morocco’s first national pavilion at the 2026 Venice Biennale, and Alexis Sornin, Director of the Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé Berber Arts Museums. The visit 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: elevating Moroccan research on the global stage

Archaeology emerged as a key focus during the visit. Legendre described her tour of the INSAP as an opportunity to better understand the direction of Moroccan archaeological research. The institute, which trains over 170 students, collaborates with French institutions including Inrap, CNRS, the Collège de France, and ENS. While acknowledging Morocco’s strong educational foundation, Legendre stressed the need to elevate the visibility of Moroccan archaeological discoveries — from the sites of Volubilis and Banassa to Phoenician artifacts, rock art, and new evidence redefining the timeline of Homo sapiens development. She noted that these breakthroughs remain underappreciated in Europe. The IMA plans to explore a dedicated exhibition in Paris to showcase the archaeology of the Arab world upon her return.

On the topic of cultural and creative industries (ICC), Legendre highlighted Morocco and Saudi Arabia as leading Arab nations in video gaming and animation. She revealed that the IMA will support France’s hosting of the Esports World Cup at the invitation of Saudi Arabia. This initiative ties into the IMA’s museum redesign, slated for 2027, which will feature immersive and gamified experiences.

Legendre also announced the creation of three annual awards in fashion, design, and contemporary art. These will be presented alongside major Parisian events such as Fashion Week, Paris Design Week, and Paris+ by Art Basel. Winners will receive residencies, exhibition opportunities, and professional mentorship in France — a response to recurring requests from young Moroccan creators during her tour.

Photography, literature, and the Arabic language in focus

The inauguration of the Museum of Photography and Visual Arts in Casablanca reflects a long-standing partnership with Mehdi Qotbi. Central to this collaboration is the IMA’s photothèque, home to 86,000 photographs, including an extensive collection documenting Morocco through multiple photographic campaigns. Legendre expressed her intention to share these resources with Moroccan partners.

The role of the Arabic language and literary scene also took center stage. Legendre called for greater promotion of Arabic language education in France and announced plans to work with Moroccan partners to identify contemporary works from the Arab and Moroccan literary scenes. The goal is to facilitate translations and distribution to French and European publishers. This initiative coincides with Rabat’s designation as Arab Book Capital for 2026 and addresses a noted gap in visibility for contemporary Arab literature among French publishers.

Two major exhibitions are scheduled at the IMA for the second half of 2026. The first, titled “Long Live the Bride!”, will explore marriage traditions and objects across Morocco’s regions, including their evolution within the diaspora. The second exhibition will examine the splendor of the Alhambra during the Nasrid period and its influence on Moroccan architecture, craftsmanship, and contemporary expressions.

The visit culminated in the drafting of a roadmap for cultural cooperation between the IMA and Morocco. Legendre confirmed that a preliminary proposal had already been submitted, with this trip aimed at finalizing the document with measurable goals. The agreement will be structured around key bilateral milestones, beginning with the government meeting in July 2026. As the IMA approaches its 40th anniversary in 2027 — the same year its museum redesign begins — it stands at the threshold of a new chapter of renewal and deeper collaboration.