Anne-Claire Legendre: 'Restoring serenity and transparency to the institution'

Anne-Claire Legendre has been appointed to succeed Jack Lang as president of the Institut du Monde Arabe (IMA) in Paris. A French diplomat, Legendre aims to restore confidence in the institution through governance reform, increased transparency, and a new strategic plan following an external financial audit.

Her appointment signals a pivotal moment for the IMA as it approaches its 40th anniversary. Legendre plans to forge stronger cultural partnerships with Gulf and Maghreb nations, create a scientific advisory board with Arab-world figures, and redesign the permanent collection to address contemporary political and social questions. She also emphasizes the IMA's national role in promoting Arabic language education and its civic mission within France's cultural landscape.