The president of the Institut du monde arabe (IMA), Anne-Claire Legendre, is set to embark on an official six-day visit to Morocco from June 19 to 24, 2026. Invited by Morocco’s Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, Mohammed Mehdi Bensaid, this trip marks her first official journey to the Kingdom since assuming leadership of the Paris-based institution in February 2026.
A journey dedicated to cultural cooperation
Legendre’s visit aims to solidify a shared cultural roadmap between the IMA and Morocco, building on ongoing exchanges between the two institutions. Her itinerary will take her through Rabat, Casablanca and Marrakech, where she will engage in discussions with Moroccan cultural stakeholders, institutions and foundations.
The program includes a key meeting with Minister Bensaid to finalize the details of this collaborative framework. Prior to this visit, the two leaders held talks in Paris to lay the groundwork for enhanced cooperation, focusing on emerging cultural sectors such as animation, comics, Arabic-language publishing and cinema.
From Paris to Rabat: a strengthened partnership
This mission follows a high-level meeting in Paris, where Minister Bensaid and Legendre first outlined their shared vision for cultural collaboration. The initiative aligns with the momentum in Morocco-France relations, further reinforced by the recent state visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to the Kingdom.
The IMA, under Legendre’s leadership, continues to serve as a pivotal platform for dialogue between France, Europe and the Arab world. Established on February 28, 1980, under the auspices of the Arab League, the institution was co-founded by 19 Arab states and France, with Morocco playing a key role in its creation.
A historic appointment with cultural ambitions
Anne-Claire Legendre took office as IMA president on February 17, 2026, succeeding Jack Lang after his 13-year tenure. As the first woman to lead the institution since its inception, she brings a fresh perspective to its mission. Prior to joining the IMA, Legendre served as Advisor to the French President for North Africa and the Middle East, a role she held from December 2023.
The upcoming visit to Morocco will provide an opportunity to translate these strategic discussions into actionable steps, fostering deeper cultural exchanges between the two nations.