Anne-Claire Legendre, President of the Arab World Institute and former French ambassador to Kuwait, emphasized the importance of strengthening cultural relations between the two countries during her official visit to Kuwait alongside French President Emmanuel Macron. This visit provided an opportunity to explore new avenues for cultural and historical cooperation between Kuwait and France.
History of Cultural Relations
Legendre highlighted the rich history of relations between France and Kuwait during this visit, emphasizing the importance of culture, heritage, and human exchange in these relations. She said: "This visit is particularly significant for me, as I previously served as the French ambassador to Kuwait and left here with very good memories. This reunion with my friends who are committed to cultural life and heritage preservation adds a special dimension to this trip."
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Cultural Dialogues and Future Collaborations
Legendre noted that Kuwait has played a role in this project since the establishment of the Arab World Institute, founded by Valéry Giscard d'Estaing. This historical commitment to cultural dialogue between Arab and European cultures provides a valuable foundation for strengthening collaborations. She also engaged in discussions on this topic during a meeting with Sheikh Nasser Al-Mahdi, former Prime Minister and Honorary President of the Francophonie Promotion Council.
Legendre emphasized the role of collectors and prominent cultural figures in these collaborations, stating: "Their participation is essential for preserving artworks, transferring knowledge, and facilitating the circulation of cultural heritage. My meeting with Sheikh Mubarak Al-Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah as a collector is an example of this collaboration. He loaned 430 gold coins for an exhibition at the Arab World Institute, which reflects the trust between Kuwaiti collectors and French cultural institutions."
Future Projects and Introducing Kuwaiti Culture
Legendre referred to identifying several avenues for collaboration with Kuwait, saying: "There are several ways to cooperate, including collaboration regarding the new National Museum, the circulation of traveling exhibitions between Kuwait and France, and further efforts to introduce Kuwaiti cultural heritage to French and European audiences." She expressed hope that a dialogue between the museum teams of the two countries would begin to explore future collaborations. The goal of the Arab World Institute is to showcase the rich heritage of Arab countries to the French public and also highlight contemporary Arab works.
Legendre also stressed the need to increase the visibility of Kuwait's creative scene and stated that support should be provided for the development of cultural and creative industries in the country. She added: "I hope many Kuwaiti creators will apply for the Arab World Institute awards."
In conclusion, Legendre also referred to promoting the Arabic language at the Arab World Institute and emphasized that the institute intends to expand the scope of Arabic language courses and provide visitors with a complete experience in Arabic.
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