Arab World Institute

The Institut du Monde Arabe (IMA ) ( German: Institute of the Arab World ) is located in the 5th arrondissement of Paris and was established to promote understanding between France and the Arab world.

Objectives

The IMA has three stated objectives:

• Development and deepening of study, knowledge and understanding of the Arab world, their language, their civilization and their development efforts
• Cultural exchange, communication and cooperation between France and the Arab world, particularly in the fields of science and technology
• Promotion of relations between the Arab world and France and Europe

History

It was founded by French law in Paris in 1980 at the instigation of the then President, Valéry Giscard d' Estaing and built in 1987 during the presidency of François Mitterrand. The project was implemented by the French architect Jean Nouvel group, Pierre Soria and Architecture Studio. It has been available since December 1987 to the public. In his opening speech, 30 November 1987 Mitterrand turned the cultural aspect to the fore, a focus that is further supported by numerous exhibitions and an extensive library.

Architecture

The Intercultural Institute made ​​Jean Nouvel international fame. Nouvel was awarded in 1989 for the design of the Institute with the prestigious Aga Khan Award for Architecture.

On the southern facade of the incidence of sunlight by thousands iris is controlled behind the glass facade, the computer- controlled continuously open and close. In these intricately structured and arranged in a uniform ranking aperture Nouvel drew on the subject of Maschrabiyya from the Arab architecture, achieving a synthesis of traditional ornamentation and high-tech architecture.

The following facilities are housed in the building: language lab, library, cinema, art shop, restaurant with views of Paris and a smoking room.

Structure and members

President of the IMA is currently Renaud Muselier, Director General Mona Khazindar.

Among the members are in addition to France and Algeria, Bahrain, Djibouti, Iraq, Yemen, Jordan, Qatar, Comoros, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestinian Territories, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and the Arab League.

Exhibitions

• 2013: Mille et une nuits