French Minister for Europe and International Affairs Catherine Colonna.
| Picture Credit score: Particular Association
‘Villa Swagatam’, a residency community bringing French abilities to India, was launched by the French Minister for Europe and International Affairs Catherine Colonna, visiting India for the G20 FMM. Inaugurating the welcome initiative at a particular occasion held on the French Institute in India (IFI), New Delhi, Catherine noticed “There’s a deep friendship and mutual cultural admiration between the French and Indian individuals. We’re each nations with wealthy histories, and intensely gifted artistes and innovators. It’s our endeavour to convey them nearer and construct a real Indo-French neighborhood of artistes. The aim of the ‘Villa Swagatam’ initiative, a community of residencies, is to spice up French cultural engagement in India. I thank the Indian companions, who will open their residencies to French writers and artistes throughout India.”
This cultural initiative marks a brand new period in Indo-French cultural relations. With the launch of this programme, India joins a listing of worldwide French residency-based initiatives all around the world, together with Villa Albertine in america, Villa Kujoyama in Japan, Casa de Velázquez in Spain, or the Nouveau Grand Tour and the Villa Medicis in Italy.
French dancer-choreographer Amala Dianor.
| Picture Credit score:
Particular Association
The French Institute and the Alliances Françaises in India have lengthy been organising residencies, together with famend French dancer-choreographer Amala Dianor, who gave a stunning efficiency on the inaugural night. An up-and-coming dancer Amala offered ‘Man Rec’ (which means ‘solely me’), within the Wolof language, generally spoken in Senegal the place Amala hails from. The distinctive piece choreographed by Amala is a dialogue between a number of dance disciplines, starting from conventional African dances to hip-hop and numerous different dance varieties. He has blended all of them to create his personal signature motion vocabulary. Music was there within the background of his dance however he was free from any rhythmic constraints and at occasions there have been soundless passages too, very very similar to Merce Cunningham one noticed many years in the past.
‘Villa Swagatam’ has partnered with a number of French cultural establishments, similar to literary residencies and centres, artwork faculties, theatres and festivals, in addition to non-public foundations. A name for functions can be launched in April to welcome the primary residents to India in mid-2023.
It is going to have sixteen residencies from literary to arts and crafts and performing arts, unfold throughout India for residents from France. In stage two, ‘Villa Swagatam’ will broaden to ship Indian residents to France. For the following 10 years, this can be a brand new pillar for the French Institute and the Alliances françaises community for growing their cultural programming.
‘Swagatam’, the Sanskrit equal of the French ‘Bienvenue’, displays the need to collaborate and trade. This philosophy is on the core of the French cultural community, which goals to foster bilateral cooperation.
