Anne-Claire Legendre, the newly appointed president of the Institut du monde arabe (IMA), will embark on an official six-day visit to Morocco from June 19 to 24, 2026. The trip, her first to the Kingdom since assuming leadership of the Paris-based institution in February 2026, aims to solidify a joint cultural roadmap between the IMA and Moroccan authorities.
The journey, organized at the invitation of Mohammed Mehdi Bensaid, Morocco’s Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, will take her through key cultural hubs including Rabat, Casablanca and Marrakech. This official tour marks a significant step in strengthening ties, following recent discussions held at the IMA’s headquarters in Paris.
Collaborative initiatives and future-focused sectors
During her stay, Legendre will engage in high-level meetings with Bensaid to finalize a shared vision for cultural cooperation. The agenda also includes discussions with leaders of Moroccan cultural institutions and foundations, as well as interactions with local artists and creative professionals. The discussions will build on prior exchanges that identified priority sectors such as animation, comics, Arabic-language publishing and cinema—areas poised for growth and innovation.
The initiative underscores a broader effort to deepen cultural and creative collaboration between France and Morocco, a dynamic reinforced by recent diplomatic engagement. The visit follows a meeting in Paris where both parties laid the groundwork for this partnership, aligning with the accelerated momentum in bilateral relations under the leadership of King Mohammed VI and French President Emmanuel Macron.
A historic leadership appointment at the IMA
Anne-Claire Legendre assumed her role at the IMA on February 17, 2026, succeeding Jack Lang, who led the institution for over a decade. Her appointment is historic, as she becomes the first woman to hold this position since the IMA’s creation in 1980. Prior to this, she served as Advisor to the French President for North Africa and the Middle East, a role she held until transitioning to her current position.
The IMA, founded in 1980 under the auspices of the Arab League, serves as a vital bridge between France, Europe and the Arab world. With Morocco among the 19 Arab states that contributed to its establishment, the institution continues to foster dialogue and cultural exchange in a region undergoing transformation.
This upcoming visit is not an isolated event but part of a broader, ongoing effort to strengthen institutional partnerships. Earlier this year, Legendre met with Mehdi Qotbi, President of the National Foundation of Museums, in Paris to explore collaborative opportunities. Qotbi framed these efforts within the context of the Enhanced Exceptional Partnership between Morocco and France, driven by the strategic vision of both nations’ leaders.
The six-day program in Morocco will serve as a tangible extension of these discussions, translating diplomatic and cultural agreements into actionable initiatives on the ground.
