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LoginIMA President to QNA: Qatar a Key Partner in Promoting Arabic Language Education in France
Paris, June 28 (QNA) - President of the Arab World Institute (IMA) in Paris Anne-Claire Legendre, said cooperation with the State of Qatar is a cornerstone of the Institute's mission, highlighting the long-standing partnership in Arabic language education and efforts to expand and promote the language in France.
In an interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA), Legendre, a former advisor to the French President on North Africa and the Middle East, stated that the partnership has strengthened the Institute's Arabic Language Center, enabling it to welcome more than 1,000 learners each year, ranging from children to adults. It has also supported the development of specialized teaching tools and modern curricula designed to make learning Arabic more accessible.
She praised Qatar's contribution to advancing Arabic language education at the Institute, noting that a major focus of the partnership is the development of educational, digital, and technological resources, as well as work on an Arabic language certification system.
Legendre said the Institute has developed an Arabic proficiency test inspired by internationally recognized assessments such as TOEFL, allowing universities and employers to recognize Arabic language skills through a standardized certification.
She stressed that Arabic is at the heart of the Institute's mission, describing it as a unifying language across the Arab world and a bridge linking cultures and civilizations. She added that Arabic is now one of the most widely spoken languages in France.
The Institute, she said, aims to expand access to Arabic language learning across France while improving access to Arabic and French books nationwide, reinforcing Arabic as a language of knowledge, creativity, and cultural exchange rather than one associated solely with heritage.
Legendre also revealed plans to organize a major week dedicated to the Arabic language and its literature to showcase contemporary Arab literary and intellectual works and encourage publishers in France, Europe, and the United States to translate more Arabic titles. She noted that modern Arabic literature remains underrepresented in Western translation markets.
Looking ahead, Legendre pointed out that the Institute seeks to build a new relationship with the Arab world based on partnership and co-creation rather than simply presenting Arab culture to French audiences. She explained that future programming will be developed in direct collaboration with Arab artists, cultural institutions, and creative practitioners to reflect the region's evolving cultural landscape.
She added that the Institute is currently consulting with leading Arab cultural institutions and figures to establish new partnerships that will provide them with a platform to present their ideas and projects at the Institute, emphasizing that the Arab world is producing innovative cultural work that deserves broader international recognition.
President of the Arab World Institute (IMA) in Paris, Anne-Claire Legendre, told (QNA) that she has visited several Arab countries and is preparing for a tour of the Gulf region this September. She expressed hope that the visit will help forge stronger partnerships with Gulf cultural institutions, which she described as increasingly influential players in the Arab cultural landscape.
Discussing the Institute's 2026–2027 cultural season, Legendre revealed that the upcoming program comes ahead of the Institute's 40th anniversary, making it an opportunity to celebrate its history while launching a series of new projects and initiatives, details of which will be announced at a later stage.
She stated that the new season will focus on showcasing Arab cultural heritage through a series of major exhibitions. The program will open in September with an exhibition exploring marriage traditions and celebrations across the Arab world, with a particular focus on the Maghreb.
The Institute will then present an exhibition on Alhambra Palace in Spain, organized in partnership with the monument itself, highlighting its gardens, architecture, decorative arts, mosaics, and Arabic calligraphy.
Legendre also announced an exhibition in partnership with ALIPH Foundation that will spotlight Arab cities whose cultural heritage has been threatened by war or climate-related disasters. The exhibition will highlight preservation efforts in cities including Aleppo, Mosul, and Beirut.
She emphasized that young people will be at the heart of the new cultural program, with a special focus on contemporary Arab creativity in design, fashion, visual arts, and music through a new festival dedicated to emerging talent from across the Arab world.
The Institute also plans to launch its first exhibition designed specifically for children aged six to twelve, offering an interactive introduction to the Arab world through age-appropriate experiences.
Concluding the interview, Legendre highlighted that these initiatives reflect the Institute's vision of serving as an open platform for cultural dialogue and exchange between France and the Arab world. She stressed that the Institute aims to be more than a venue for exhibitions, positioning itself instead as a space for creativity, collaboration, and joint cultural production.
Founded in 1980, the Arab World Institute is regarded as one of Europe's leading institutions dedicated to Arab and Islamic culture. It promotes the study of the Arab world in France, fosters greater understanding of Arab civilization and culture, encourages cultural exchange, and strengthens cooperation between France and Arab countries. The Institute welcomes around 750,000 visitors each year to its exhibitions, cultural programs, and events. Its president is appointed on the recommendation of the French President in consultation with representatives of Arab countries in France. (QNA)
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