Logander: Cultural cooperation and exhibition exchange with Kuwait

Claire Lognander, president of the Arab World Institute in Paris, affirmed that Kuwait holds a special place at the institute, regarded as a key partner and supporter. She expressed her aspiration to strengthen cultural cooperation between the two sides, highlighting Kuwaiti heritage and the creations of young artists before French and European audiences.

In a statement to Al-Nahar, Lognander revealed discussions on organizing an exhibition dedicated to Kuwaiti heritage in collaboration with the Dar Al Athar Al-Islamyyah, alongside efforts to develop joint projects encompassing museums, arts, and design, and to provide broader opportunities for Kuwaiti creatives to participate in the institute’s programs and artistic residencies in France.

She noted that the Arab World Institute is preparing to celebrate its 40th anniversary next year, coinciding with its move to launch new cultural initiatives, including a music and cinema festival. Additionally, the institute will host the first Kuwaiti diwaniya in Paris on December 15, a step aimed at introducing Kuwaiti heritage and enhancing cultural ties between the two countries.

Lognander stated that her return to Kuwait, five years after leaving her post as French ambassador to the country, presents an opportunity to resume communication with her Kuwaiti friends and build new horizons for cultural cooperation. She emphasized that relations between the two nations extend beyond politics and diplomacy to encompass culture, arts, and people-to-people dialogue.

Expressing her happiness at visiting Bayt Al-Saddu during her first trip to Kuwait since assuming the presidency of the Arab World Institute, Lognander affirmed her pride in returning to the country she loves and meeting her friends there. She reiterated that Kuwait holds a special place at the institute, which has previously benefited from cultural cooperation with the Dar Al Athar Al-Islamyyah through exhibitions that allowed the public to explore aspects of Kuwaiti heritage and antiquities. She pointed out that the coming phase offers opportunities to expand this cooperation and launch new projects.

Her visit took place as part of the delegation accompanying French President Emmanuel Macron. During the trip, she met with His Highness the Amir of Kuwait, along with several officials and cultural sector stakeholders. She also held discussions with officials from the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters regarding opportunities to develop cultural partnerships.

Regarding the heritage exhibition, Lognander disclosed discussions on hosting a dedicated Kuwaiti heritage exhibition at the Arab World Institute. She explained that she discussed the idea with Sheikh Hessa Sabah Al-Salim Al-Sabah as part of exploring opportunities to showcase Kuwaiti culture and introduce its richness and diversity to the French public. The talks covered ways to enhance cooperation between Kuwaiti cultural institutions and the institute, including the exchange of exhibitions, organizing joint projects, and hosting artists, creatives, and representatives of cultural institutions, as well as opening avenues for collaboration in fashion, design, and contemporary arts.

She noted that her meeting with several Kuwaiti artists and creatives allowed her to encounter diverse experiences reflecting the vitality of the country’s creative scene, emphasizing the importance of maintaining communication with them and providing opportunities for them to present their work in France and Europe.

Emphasizing that one of the primary goals of the Arab World Institute is to highlight contemporary Arab creativity and provide young creatives with opportunities to reach a wider audience through artistic programs, awards, and creative residencies, Lognander added that these initiatives enable artists to develop their experiences and interact with France’s cultural circles.

She clarified that the institute is working to launch new initiatives in the fields of fashion, design, and contemporary art, aiming to discover and support young talents, expressing her hope that Kuwaiti creatives will participate in these programs and benefit from the opportunities they offer. She noted that the desired cooperation is not limited to organizing exhibitions, but also includes the exchange of expertise and experiences, and building sustainable relationships between cultural institutions, thereby enhancing the presence of Kuwaiti culture in the European cultural landscape.

Regarding upcoming projects, Logander revealed that the Institut du Monde Arabe (IMA) is preparing to launch a new music and cinema festival next year, alongside organizing an exhibition dedicated to children aged four to ten, with the aim of introducing them to the richness and diversity of Arab culture. She added that the institute looks forward to developing programs that enable the public to discover Arab cultures through art, music, and imagery, as well as initiatives targeting and supporting young creatives to strengthen their presence in the cultural arena. She emphasized that these projects represent opportunities for Kuwait to leverage in order to enhance the presence of its heritage and arts, noting that work is underway to explore areas of cooperation with relevant Kuwaiti institutions and to formulate a clear vision for initiatives that can be implemented in the coming period.

Regarding the outcomes of the visit, Logander clarified that no new agreement was signed during the visit, as it was her first visit in the context of her current mandate. However, cultural cooperation was present among the files that received attention during the French President’s visit. She added that she is working with Kuwaiti cultural institutions to prepare a roadmap that outlines future areas of cooperation, enabling a transition from exchanging ideas to developing practical projects and joint initiatives. She expressed her hope that these efforts will contribute to launching new projects coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Institut du Monde Arabe next year, and strengthening cultural ties between Kuwait and France, in line with the depth of the historical relations between the two countries.

On transitioning from diplomatic work to leading a cultural institution, Logander affirmed that culture and diplomacy are closely linked, considering her current experience as an extension of her previous career. She noted that culture contributes to building understanding among peoples, opening horizons for dialogue and cooperation, and reducing misunderstandings. She added that cultural rapprochement allows the French to gain a deeper understanding of the Arab world, while providing Arabs with broader opportunities to showcase their cultures and creativity. She emphasized the importance of joint efforts between Europeans and Arabs to build a future based on mutual understanding and shared interests.

In conclusion, Logander invited those interested in Kuwaiti culture and heritage to visit Paris on December 15 next year to participate in the first Kuwaiti Diwaniya organized by the Institut du Monde Arabe, with the aim of introducing Kuwaiti heritage and providing a space for cultural encounter and communication between the two countries. She reaffirmed her hope that Kuwait will have a prominent representation in the institute’s programs and exhibitions, and that Kuwaiti artists and creatives will find broader opportunities to present their works to French and European audiences, reflecting the richness of Kuwaiti culture and strengthening bridges of communication between Kuwait and France.