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3 March 2023

Launch of 'Villa Swagatam' to boost French cultural engagement in India

Unveiled by French Foreign Affairs Minister Catherine Colonna at the French Institute in India, New Delhi, on March 3, 2023 this cultural initiative marks a new era in Indo-French cultural relations

New Delhi.March 3, 2023. Visiting India for the G20 FMM, French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna today inaugurated the 'Villa Swagatam' network of residencies in India during a special event at the French Institute in India (IFI), with the residency representativesin attendance. The initiative represents an important milestone for the French cultural network in India – consisting of the the French Institute and the network of 15 Alliances Françaises in the country.

Speaking at the event, French Foreign Affairs Minister Catherine Colonna said: “There is a deep friendship, and mutual cultural admiration between the French and Indian peoples. We are both nations with a rich history, and extremely talented artists and innovators. It is our endeavour to bring them closer together and build a true Indo-French community of artists. That is the purpose of the Villa Swagatam initiative, which I have the pleasure of inauguratingtoday. I warmly thank the Indian partners who will open their residencies to French writers and artists all overIndia.”

Constantly evolving to be mindful of the needs of the times, the French cultural network has adopted sustainability, community engagement, as well as greater diversity and inclusion as its core principles. From this was born ‘Villa Swagatam’, a network of residencies in India aimed at creating deeper, more meaningful relationships between artistic and literary actors of the two countries for the long term. With the launch of this programme, India joins a list of international French residency-based initiatives all over the world, including Villa Albertine in the United States, Villa Kujoyama in Japan, Casa de Velázquez in Spain, or the Nouveau Grand Tour and the Villa Medicis in Italy.

The French Institute in India & the Alliances Françaises in India have long been organising residencies, including renowned French dancer-choreographer Amala Dianor, who gave a dazzling performance on the evening of the launch. To attract more and more French artists and writers to India, Villa Swagatam has partnered with several French cultural institutions, such as literary residencies and centres, art schools, theatres and festivals, as well as private foundations. A call for applications will be launched in April to welcome the first residents to India mid-2023. Hence, Villa Swagatam will pave the way for the constant presence of French artists and writers across Indian throughout the year.

In stage 2, Villa Swagatam will expand to send Indian residents to France: the 16 residencies in France added to the 16 residencies in India will generate no fewer than 320 Villa Swagatam alumni. For the next 10 years, this will be a new pillar for the French Institute and the Alliances françaises network for developing their cultural programing.

'Swagatam', the Sanskrit equivalent of the French 'Bienvenue', reflects the desire to welcome dialogue, collaboration, and exchange. This philosophy is at the core of the French cultural network, which aims to foster bilateral cooperation.

The Villa Swagatam network:
Literary residencies
  • MAD Salon+Lab
  • Sangam House
  • Rachna Books & Northeast Journeys
  • Tara Books
  • DC Kizhakemuri Foundation and Kerala Literature Festival
  • The Himalayan Writing Retreat
  • Alice Boner Institute
Arts & Craft residencies
  • Kalhath Institute
  • Khoj
  • Public Arts Trust of India x Prameya Art Foundation
  • Nila House
  • Vastrakala
Performing arts residencies
  • Serendipity Arts
  • RRAP (Rajasthan Rural Arts Programme)
  • Katkatha Puppet Arts Trust
  • Prakriti Foundation
French Institute in India:

The French Institute in India / IFI (Institut français en Inde) is the wing of the Embassy of France that promotes and nurtures people-to-people ties between France and India. IFI performs numerous functions: from promoting academic and scientific exchanges between institutes of higher learning and research, to enabling student mobility and promoting the French language. We also foster links between artists, scientists, NGOs, professors, enterprises, film professionals, publishers, and more. We support partnerships in research and innovation, capacity building and interactions with civil society, vocational studies, as well as artistic and cultural partnerships in performance, books, film, fashion, design, and more. We support and organise forums and debates that bring together innovators and thinkers from both countries.