A teleconference held this week brought together representatives from Russia, Morocco, and several African nations to discuss the creation of an “African Cultural Museum” in Moscow.
The initiative aims to enhance cultural and humanitarian relations between Russia and Africa, other African nations involved include Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Benin, Guinea, Egypt, Zambia, and Ivory Coast.
Russia greatly emphasized expanding its relations with African nations, highlighting the importance of strengthening these bonds across multiple areas. The idea for the museum is rooted in Russia’s ongoing commitment to deepening its engagement with Africa, a strategy outlined in President Vladimir Putin’s “Priority Steps in Africa” decree from 2020. The creation of the Museum of African Cultures aligns with this vision, and Moscow believes it will serve as an essential platform to increase awareness of Africa’s rich history and diverse cultures among the Russian public.
The museum will be located at the renowned “State Museum of Oriental Art” and will focus on showcasing the depth of African culture. It is set to become the only museum outside of Africa dedicated solely to African themes, providing an immersive experience for visitors. The collection, which already includes more than 1,100 pieces of African art, will grow through outsourcing efforts. These artifacts will tell the story of Africa’s diversity, highlighting its artistic, cultural, and historical wealth.
Morocco, which actively participated in the discussions, sees the project as an opportunity to showcase its own cultural heritage as a crossroads between Africa and other regions of the world. The Moroccan representatives highlighted the significant role the museum could play in presenting Morocco’s diverse cultural influences—Saharan, Amazigh, Arab, and African. By emphasizing these ethnic groups, Morocco hopes to play a central role in broadening the global understanding of its cultural identity, particularly in the Russian context.
The museum’s scope will extend beyond a simple exhibition space. It is envisioned as a hub for cultural exchanges, educational initiatives, and diplomatic collaboration between Russia, Morocco, and other African nations. It will foster deeper ties and stimulate dialogue about shared heritage, development, and opportunities for cooperation.
Ilya Vyacheslavovich Ilyin, Dean of the Faculty of Global Processes and First Vice-President of the Russian-African Club at Moscow State University (MSU), opened the teleconference. He noted creating the museum was a key topic because of the growing importance of enhancing humanitarian cooperation with African countries. The need for growth in this sector was echoed during the Second Summit of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum and the Russia-Africa Ministerial Conference held in Sochi earlier this year.
The museum’s establishment coincides with Russia’s priorities in leadership established in 2020 and seeks to build stronger diplomatic and cultural bridges between Russia and African nations. The museum will be a key institution for educating the Russian public about Africa’s cultural diversity and promoting mutual understanding.
Opportunities for Morocco and Russia
For Morocco, this project represents an opportunity to further enhance its cultural diplomacy, especially in its relations with Russia. The Kingdom, which has long been a leader in Africa’s cultural exchanges, can contribute by highlighting the intersections of its history with both African and Arab worlds. This initiative will also benefit Morocco by offering new educational and cultural opportunities for its citizens.
Morocco and Russia have a longstanding history of cultural exchange that dates back to the 19th century. Their bilateral relations have been marked by mutual respect for their cultural traditions, with both nations fostering dialogue and collaboration in various fields, including the arts, literature, and science. Morocco’s position as a cultural bridge between Africa, Europe, and the Arab world has made it an important partner for Russia in understanding the diverse dynamics of the African continent.
The museum symbolizes the latest chapter in this evolving cultural partnership. By showcasing African culture, the museum will also highlight Morocco’s significant contributions to the African and Arab worlds.
T.E. Dovgalenko, a prominent figure involved with the museum, expressed confidence in the project’s ability to serve as a significant cultural bridge between the two continents. Dovgalenko’s enthusiasm was reinforced by Swinni Driss, a representative from Morocco’s National Museum, who also shared insights on Morocco’s contributions to global cultural exchange, particularly in educational projects such as the country’s popular exhibitions of postage stamps.
In recent years, both countries have continued to deepen their cultural ties. Russia has been actively involved in various Moroccan cultural projects, and Morocco has similarly embraced Russian art and culture. Moroccan students have increasingly studied in Russia, particularly in fields such as engineering and economics, while Russia has been a key destination for Moroccan artists, scholars, and diplomats. These exchanges have led to a greater appreciation of each other’s cultural heritage, with institutions like the Russian Cultural Center in Rabat playing a pivotal role in boosting connections.