Photos by Mehdi Sefrioui
Reinwardt Academy strengthens international collaboration with Morocco
The Reinwardt Academy’s international collaborations are gaining increasing attention. In a recent interview with the prominent Moroccan magazine TelQuel, instructors Ruben Smit and Ikram Zahri discussed the longstanding collaboration between the Netherlands and Morocco in the fields of cultural heritage and museum management. This conversation was supported by Myriam Sahraoui of DutchCulture, a platform promoting international cultural cooperation, and the Dutch Embassy in Morocco.
The partnership, in which the Reinwardt Academy plays a central role, focuses on sharing knowledge and expertise in intangible heritage and museum management. In November, the next project in this exchange will take place, with Dutch professionals and artists expected to visit the Museum of Intangible Heritage (Jemaa El Fnaa Museum) in Marrakesh.
Importance of Knowledge Exchange
In the TelQuel article, Ruben Smit, responsible for the Reinwardt Academy’s international programs, explains:
“We can share our expertise in preserving artworks, as this is one of our main specialties, but we also have much to learn from Morocco, especially regarding the appreciation of intangible heritage.”
This reciprocal exchange of knowledge underscores the strength of the partnership. While the Netherlands brings experience in art conservation, Morocco excels in the care and appreciation of intangible heritage. Ruben continued:
“I hadn’t realized how high the museum standards in Morocco are. I’ve visited many countries for work, especially in the global south, and I can tell you that what’s happening in Morocco is exceptional.”
From Charity to Equal Collaboration
The partnership between the Netherlands and Morocco hasn’t always been based on equality. Before 2019, the focus was primarily on charity, human rights, or culture from a social perspective. However, as Myriam Sahraoui explains in the article:
“It can take time for the Western perspective to shift, but this is an example of a change in mindset.”
Today, the relationship between the two countries is based on equality, with knowledge and experience shared in a mutual and respectful partnership. Ruben Smit views the connection with Morocco as more than just a professional collaboration:
“This exchange offers a unique opportunity, especially for the students of the Reinwardt Academy, to learn from the diversity and museum expertise of Morocco.”
Upcoming Visit to Marrakesh in November
In November, a training session will be held at the Museum of Intangible Heritage in Marrakesh, where museum professionals and creators from both the Netherlands and Morocco will work together on intangible heritage. This marks an important step in further strengthening the collaboration between the two countries.