Doha: President of the Arab World Institute (IMA) in Paris, Anne-Claire Legendre, emphasized the critical role of Qatar in promoting Arabic language education in France, describing the partnership as a cornerstone of the Institute's mission. Legendre highlighted the long-standing collaboration in an interview, underscoring efforts to expand and promote the Arabic language across the country.
According to Qatar News Agency, Legendre, who previously served as an advisor to the French President on North Africa and the Middle East, stated that the partnership has significantly enhanced the Institute's Arabic Language Center. The collaboration has enabled the Center to accommodate over 1,000 learners annually, ranging from children to adults, and has facilitated the development of specialized teaching tools and modern curricula to make Arabic learning more accessible.
She commended Qatar's contributions, noting the partnership's focus on developing educational, digital, and technological resources, alongside an Arabic language certification system. The Institute has crafted an Arabic proficiency test inspired by renowned assessments like TOEFL, allowing universities and employers to recognize Arabic language skills through a standardized certification.
Legendre emphasized Arabic's centrality to the Institute's mission, portraying it as a unifying language across the Arab world and a cultural bridge. She mentioned that Arabic has become one of the most widely spoken languages in France, and the Institute aims to broaden Arabic language learning access while boosting the availability of Arabic and French books nationwide.
Further, Legendre revealed plans for a significant week dedicated to Arabic language and literature, aimed at showcasing contemporary Arab literary works and encouraging translation by publishers in France, Europe, and the United States. She pointed out the underrepresentation of modern Arabic literature in Western translation markets.
Looking forward, Legendre articulated the Institute's goal to foster a new partnership-based relationship with the Arab world, focusing on co-creation rather than merely presenting Arab culture to French audiences. She noted that future programming would be developed in direct collaboration with Arab artists and cultural institutions to reflect the region's evolving cultural landscape.
Legendre also mentioned ongoing consultations with prominent Arab cultural institutions to establish partnerships that provide a platform for their ideas and projects, highlighting the innovative cultural work emerging from the Arab world that merits broader international recognition.
In her interview with QNA, Legendre disclosed her plans to visit several Arab countries and prepare for a Gulf region tour in September, with hopes of building stronger partnerships with influential Gulf cultural institutions.
Discussing the Institute's 2026-2027 cultural season, Legendre shared that the upcoming program, coinciding with the Institute's 40th anniversary, will celebrate its history while launching new projects and initiatives. The season will feature major exhibitions exploring Arab cultural heritage, starting with an exhibition on marriage traditions in the Arab world.
Subsequent exhibitions will include a showcase on Alhambra Palace in Spain, organized with the monument itself, and a partnership with ALIPH Foundation focusing on Arab cities whose cultural heritage faces threats from war or climate-related disasters. The exhibitions will highlight preservation efforts in cities like Aleppo, Mosul, and Beirut.
Legendre stressed the importance of engaging young people through the new cultural program, with a focus on contemporary Arab creativity across various fields. A new festival dedicated to emerging Arab talent and the Institute's first exhibition designed for children will offer interactive experiences tailored to young audiences.
Concluding the interview, Legendre reiterated the Institute's vision of serving as a platform for cultural dialogue and exchange between France and the Arab world, aiming to be a space for creativity, collaboration, and joint cultural production.
Founded in 1980, the Arab World Institute is one of Europe's leading institutions dedicated to Arab and Islamic culture, promoting Arab civilization and culture in France, encouraging cultural exchange, and strengthening cooperation between France and Arab countries. The Institute attracts approximately 750,000 visitors annually to its exhibitions and cultural events, with its president appointed on the French President's recommendation in consultation with Arab country representatives in France.