It’s official, Rue-de-Valois welcomes a new guest: Rima Abdul Malak was appointed Minister of Culture in the government ofElizabeth Thick headed. Aged 43, she succeeds Roselyne Bachelot. A surprise for the general public. But maybe not for those who follow the trajectory of this Franco-Lebanese in recent years.
A flawless course that aroused the interest of the Elysée from 2019 when it was necessary to replace Claudia Ferrazzi, cultural adviser to the President. Rima Abdul Malak has held the position ever since. Among her files: the establishment of the blank year for intermittent performers penalized by the Covid-19, and the launch of the Pass Culture which she will have to follow at the ministry.
His career started in the humanitarian field. After an internship with cultural associations supported by the Catholic Committee against Hunger and for Development (CCFD) in Israel and the Palestinian Territories, Rima Abdul Malak becomes director of the association Clowns sans frontières which works for children in conflict zones.
In 2007, her career took a more institutional turn when she became head of the music department. current by Culturesfrance (formerly French Institute). An experience that propelled her a year later into the cabinet of Christophe Girard, deputy for culture of the mayor of Paris. Rima Abdul Malak was first adviser in charge of performing arts, before taking the post of director of cabinet in 2010. She was then promoted to cultural adviser to Bertrand Delanoë, mayor of Paris, for two years. In particular, she supported projects for the Philharmonie and the Centquatre.
In 2014, Rima Abdul Malak packs up for New York where she holds the position of cultural attaché at the French consulate. On her return, the young woman poses his boxes at Elysee Palace to become the culture and communication advisor President of the Republic.
Those who have worked with her are full of praise. Asked by Galaa Parisian elected official remembers from her like D’“an extremely competent young woman, who knew the files and who went out a lot, both in large theaters and in more confidential rooms”.
For Bruno Julliard, former first deputy to the mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo, who has known Rima Abdul Malak for ten years, “he is someone who has an exceptional work force, a capacity for commitment and extraordinary investment.