In July 2025, the French Institute in India announced the selection of the 28 laureates for the second edition of its residency programme, Villa Swagatam, for 2024-2025. From August 2024 to August 2025, French and Indian artists and writers will explore the rich cultures of India, Bangladesh, and France, spending between one and three months at their designated residences. Their host organizations have been chosen for their outstanding capacity to offer their residents an immersion in the vibrant creative milieus of their respective countries. This flagship initiative underscores the French Institute in India’s dedication to promoting cross-cultural exchanges in the realms of art and crafts and literature.
In its second edition, Villa Swagatam has expanded with four new residencies in India (Jaipur Rugs, Hampi Art Labs, Eklavya Foundation, and Sunaparanta Centre for the Arts) and one in Bangladesh (Brihatta Art Foundation). Bringing the initiative to a full circle, Villa Swagatam has also introduced opportunities for Indian creators to come to France. The French residencies cover a wide spectrum of artistic forms, such as dance (Centre National de la Danse), visual arts (Biennale de Lyon, La Napoule Art Foundation), arts and crafts (Mobilier National and Cité de la Céramique/Manufacture de Sèvres), poetry (Maison de la Poésie de Nantes), comics (Cité Internationale de la Bande Dessinée et de l’Image), and literature (Villa Gillet, La Marelle, La Maison Julien Gracq).
Lauding the winners, H.E. Mr Thierry Mathou, Ambassador of France to India, said: “Reciprocity plays a vital role in our concept of cultural cooperation. The Villa Swagatam programme would not be complete if exchanges did not flow both ways, with Indian artists and writers being welcomed in French institutions. We are proud to have been able to introduce this feature from the second edition and wish to extend the programme to more neighbouring countries in the coming editions.”
This comes as a natural development after the remarkable achievements of the 17 winners of Villa Swagatam’s inaugural edition in 2023-2024. Several artists have garnered significant international acclaim through notable exhibitions and presentations. Writers and graphic novelists are currently authoring books that explore India’s rich traditions and unique landscapes, underscoring the programme’s commitment to nurturing artistic and literary cooperation.
The call for applications for this second edition, from April 9th to June 2nd, 2024, was open to writers, graphic novelists, visual artists, designers, and cultural practitioners. The entire Villa Swagatam network, comprising French and Indian organizations, publicized the offer among their communities. Out of the nearly 450 applicants, 210 were French and 237 Indians, showing a great interest in more culture exchange and people to people relationship in the context of the bilateral relationship between France and India.
The final selection, made jointly by the French Institute in India, and the French and the Indian partner organizations, includes a diverse group of talented individuals. The selected 28 residents range from up-and-coming artists to established professionals, each one of them bringing unique perspectives and aspirations to the programme.
All Villa Swagatam residency winners will be mentored by partners dedicated to enhancing their professional skills and be given the chance to explore new techniques and environments to further their practice. For many participants, this will be their first opportunity to immerse themselves in the cultures of France and India, where they are committed to fostering meaningful, long-term collaborations. For those already acquainted with these spaces, this is a unique opportunity to renew their professional and creative connections and advance specific projects.
The Villa Swagatam network consists of 29 residences divided into 3 categories.