The president of the Institut du monde arabe (IMA) is set to conclude a landmark six-day official visit to Morocco this week, marking a pivotal moment in bilateral cultural collaboration.
Anne-Claire Legendre, who assumed leadership of the Paris-based institution in February 2026, arrived in the Kingdom on June 19 at the invitation of Mohammed Mehdi Bensaid, Morocco’s Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication. The trip—her first to the country since taking office—aims to solidify a shared cultural roadmap between the IMA and Moroccan counterparts, building on months of preliminary discussions.
An itinerary spanning Rabat, Casablanca and Marrakech
Legendre’s agenda includes high-level meetings in Rabat, where she will hold strategic talks with Bensaid on the joint cultural framework. The program extends to Casablanca and Marrakech, offering opportunities to engage with Moroccan cultural institutions, foundations and creative professionals across the country. These encounters are designed to foster deeper ties between France and Morocco in sectors poised for growth.
Cultural innovation and shared priorities
The discussions follow a March 2026 meeting in Paris, during which Legendre and Bensaid identified key areas for cooperation, including animation, graphic novels, Arabic-language publishing and film. These sectors were highlighted as strategic pillars for future collaboration, aligning with broader efforts to enhance cultural exchange between the two nations.
The visit also reflects a broader diplomatic thaw between Paris and Rabat. Moroccan officials have linked the momentum to the strengthened partnership forged during French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Morocco, underscoring the deepening ties between the two capitals.
Legendre’s leadership and institutional legacy
Anne-Claire Legendre made history as the first woman to lead the IMA since its inception in 1980. Appointed in February 2026, she previously served as advisor to the French President for North Africa and the Middle East, a role she left to take the helm of the IMA. Her presidency marks a new chapter for the institution, which was founded with the support of 19 Arab League member states, including Morocco, and France.
The IMA was established to serve as a bridge between Europe and the Arab world, fostering dialogue through cultural exchange. Legendre’s visit to Morocco is expected to reinforce this mission, with a focus on tangible projects and institutional partnerships that align with the evolving priorities of both countries.