The Tangier American Legation Museum is a unique institution that serves many functions. It is at once:
….a unique bridge of communication and understanding….
Through its grants, conferences, research library, public visitor program, and social outreach programs, The Tangier American Legation Museum (TALM), provides a unique bridge of communication and understanding between the U.S. and Morocco.
….a national historic landmark of the U.S……
TALM receives thousands of visitors from around the world throughout the year—not only from Morocco and the U.S. but from France, Spain, Great Britain, Eastern Europe, and as far away as Japan and China. The Museum, a national historic landmark of the U.S. located in the old city, is filled with engravings and paintings that are attractively displayed in its well-appointed public galleries. The Museum preserves the heritage of America and Morocco, reminding visitors of the long and friendly relationship with this moderate North African nation.
….an affiliate of The American Institute for Magrhib Studies (AIMS)…
As the representative of The American Institute for Maghrib Studies (AIMS) in Morocco, TALM has hosted many AIMS conferences on a wide variety of subjects –the status of women in North Africa, the walled Arab city in history, environmental issues, language in North Africa, North African literature, and in 2004 a conference on Rethinking the Jewish Presence in North Africa . Through these periodic AIMS conferences, TALM encourages communication among North African scholars introducing them to the resources of the TALM research library. The AIMS Maghribi scholar program administered in Morocco by TALM, compliments this objective by offering short term grants to Tunisian and Algerian scholars to conduct research in Morocco.
…the home of a unique and comprehensive research library…
TALM research library operations are financed through a grant from AIMS Administered by a fulltime librarian, the research library contains a comprehensive collection of books, monographs, maps, photographs, and articles on Morocco and North Africa, perhaps the most comprehensive in the region. Researchers from North Africa and the U.S. have made extensive use of the library holdings.
…..the host of a summer Arabic language program….
TALM established and helps to administer the AIMS summer Arabic language program for American students currently under the academic direction of Dr. Driss Cherkaoui, head of Arab Studies at William and Mary College. This program is designed for intermediate level speakers of Arabic introducing them to the history and culture of North Africa. Independent reviewers of the program have given it high marks for language instruction and cultural content.
...the organizer and host of annual April Seminars on timely issues…
The annual April Seminars are held under the patronage of King Mohammed VI. The first day is devoted to important economic issues and on the second day local conservation issues. Past seminars have brought together senior officials from the World Bank, from the Moroccan government, and from international U.S. business firms. The theme of the April Seminars in 2003 and 2004 was the U.S.-Moroccan Free Trade Agreement now ratified by the two countries. The theme of the April Seminar in 2005 is the impact of the new 1 billion dollar Tangier-Mediterranean port on the economy of the northern region of Morocco. The second seminar on April 9 will discuss the importance of preserving Morocco’s archaeological and cultural sites during a time of rapid economic growth. This year’s April Seminars are funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of State’s Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI). Click here for this year's program.
….a hub in a network of American overseas research centers…..
Through a grant from the Council of American Overseas Research Centers (CAORC), TALM has provided bibliographic data on its research library holdings for inclusion in the Automated Overseas Digital Library. AODL. This project will allow researchers at CAORC’s 19 oversea research centers to consult the catalogues in other centers through the internet.
…..the sponsor of an active and expanding social outreach program….
Finally, the Museum is engaged in an active and expanding social outreach program working in partnership with a Moroccan NGO (la Fondation Tanger Al Madina) headquartered at the Museum. TALM and the Moroccan foundation are dedicated to improving the lives and environment of Moroccans living in the old city. For the past four years TALM has hosted literacy classes for neighborhood women and offered a lecture series on such issues as public health, family rights legislation, and communication. TALM also offers sewing and English lessons and activities for neighborhood youth. TALM hosts a Rotary Club micro-credit program that has disbursed nearly 500 loans to medina women interested in starting their own business. Through a grant from the American Ambassador’s Cultural Preservation Fund, a historic square in the medina was renovated by the Tangier Medina Foundation.
In short, there is a lot going on at the American Legation. For more specifics on recent activities, click here.
Last updated March 25, 2005
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