Anne-Claire Legendre wants region's artists to have greater say at Paris’s Arab World Institute

Anne-Claire Legendre, the newly appointed president of the Arab World Institute in Paris, aims to give more autonomy to Arab artists and cultural figures in presenting their work. Legendre, a former French diplomat, believes the institute should no longer serve as merely a European showcase for Arab culture, as regional museums, festivals, and organizations are increasingly presenting that work themselves.

She will attend the Congress of Arabic and Creative Industries at Manarat Al Saadiyat in Abu Dhabi on September 20, where she will participate in a session titled "Arabic Language and Identity in a Changing World". Legendre's approach emphasizes giving the Arab world a greater say in shaping the institute's events and showcasing their talent.

She highlights the institute's current focus on design, fashion, literature, film, and music, with exhibitions featuring finalists for its design prize and the second Arab Fashion Award. Legendre acknowledges France's history of protecting its language and culture through institutions, quotas, and public funding, noting the relevance of this issue in the Arab world.

She suggests that Arab policymakers could consider similar measures to preserve the use and appeal of Arabic, while also advocating for greater support for Arabic education tailored to Gulf communities. At the congress, Legendre will address the need to improve the capacity of publishers and translators to ensure that Arabic literature and modern works reach wider international audiences.