Morocco and Île-de-France forge cultural pact to elevate African art

Tuesday 22 April 2025 - 15:10

By: Dakir Madiha

Morocco and Île-de-France forge cultural pact to elevate African art

In a significant move to reshape cultural relations between Africa and Europe, Morocco and the Île-de-France Region have signed a declaration of intent at the Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Rabat. This agreement marks a pivotal step in amplifying contemporary African art on the global stage.

The declaration, signed by Mehdi Qotbi, President of Morocco’s National Foundation of Museums, and Valérie Pécresse, President of the Île-de-France Region, establishes a collaborative framework focused on concrete actions. A highlight of this partnership is the upcoming Mediterranean exhibition, set to inaugurate the Cité de la Culture Africaine, Musée du Continent, a major cultural hub currently under development.

Beyond this singular event, the collaboration encompasses a broader vision. Both regions will exchange expertise in conservation practices, facilitate the acquisition of African artworks, and design educational programs centered on audience engagement for the new museum.

A key aspect of this initiative includes the loan of works from the Île-de-France Regional Fund for Contemporary Art (Frac), which aims to create dialogues between European collections and African narratives.

Mehdi Qotbi emphasized the symbolic weight of the moment, describing Morocco as a bridge between Africa and Europe, both geographically and culturally. "Art builds bridges where politics fall short," he stated, highlighting the deeper significance of the agreement beyond mere diplomacy.

Pécresse reinforced this sentiment, noting the deep-rooted cultural ties between Île-de-France and Morocco, as evidenced by the significant Moroccan community in the region. She pointed out that two of her vice-presidents are of Franco-Moroccan descent, illustrating the intertwined histories that shape their identities.

Central to this collaboration is the commitment to spotlight African artists. Pécresse announced that the director of the Frac Île-de-France collection would co-curate the museum’s inaugural exhibition, emphasizing their dedication to discovering and promoting emerging African talent.

Following the signing, Pécresse and her delegation toured the museum, taking time to reflect on artworks by Moroccan contemporary artists and the celebrated Franco-Moroccan artist Tahar Ben Jelloun, known for his boundary-crossing expressions.

This agreement, far from being a mere formality, signals a transformative shift in cultural dynamics. The collaboration initiated in Rabat is poised to reverberate across major cities, from Paris to Dakar and Casablanca to Marseille, igniting momentum for African art on the international stage.