Khaznadar, Chérif

Chérif Khaznadar has been the Director of the Maison des Cultures du Monde in Paris since 1982. He began his career in the 60s’, as a literary critic for the Orient Littéraire of Beyrouth (1960-1962), and then as an expert for the Ministry of Culture of Syria, as well as acting producer and director of the syrian television artistic company (1963-1964). From 1963 to 1965, he was a Member of the Surpreme Council for the Arts, Literature and Social Sciences of Syria and Director of the Theatre and International Cultural Center of Tunis (1965-1966). From 1971 to 1974, he was responsible for the coproductions and serial drama study service of the then French National Broadcaster (ORTF). In 1974, he founded the Traditionnal Arts Festival and became Director of the Maison de la Culture of Rennes - France (1974-1982).He began working for the French National Commission for Unesco serving as Vice - President of the Committe for Culture (1979-1996) until he was appointed Chairman of this committee in 1997 (still in charge). He also was a member of the French national Council for regional languages and cultures (1988), General Commissioner of the Temps du Maroc event in France (1990- 1991). France (1990-1991) and Director of the Parisian Rond-Point - Renaud-Barrault Theatre (1991-94) He is a great admirer of popular antiques.

He is Knight of the French Legion of honor and the national merit order, Commander of Arts and Literature and Officer of the Tunisian cultural merit.

His publications include:

Le patrimoine culturel immatériel : Les enjeux, les problématiques, les pratiques (with Jean Duvignaud, Akinwumi Isola and Françoise Gründ, 2004), Atlas de l'Imaginaire (collective work, 2000), Asilah, la culture et la ville (1999), Julia Domna (drama, 1996), La Festivalière (novel, 1992), Sur la piste des cultures du monde (collective work, 1985).



Photo: © Aude Vincent