The French Institute of India and the French Embassy of India announced the launch of the third edition of the Swagatam trans-residential program, which convened thirty partners in France, India, India, Bangladesh and 2025, Sri Lanka. In South Asia, the focus is on two key themes of bilateral cooperation: literature and craftsmanship. In 2025, the right of residency for translators was also introduced.
Visited New Delhi in March 2023 at France’s Minister of European and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna, the plan highlights the roadmap adopted for the 25th anniversary of the strategic partnership in July 2023. The program has supported about 50 residents in just two years, providing residents for one to three months.
“The Villa Swagatam reflects a shared desire to strengthen human communication among our countries in meaningful and lasting ways. The French Embassy is a catalyst for promoting the emergence of new creative dialogue and deepening mutual understanding of our respective cultures,” he stressed, highlighting his thierry Math to India France in France.
The new phone is open to French and Indian applicants who hope to join the network in 2025-2026. Applications are open until June 2, 2025, midnight (CEST).
Gaspard combed in residence project in Public Arts and Trust in India (Jodhpur)
Overview of the Origin and Philosophy of the Plan
Villa Swagatam aims to build a community of artists and writers who will be built with the spirit of famous cultural figures (such as painter Sh Raza), Nobel Prize-winning writer Rabindranath Tagore, screenwriter and writer Jean-Claude Carrie, or Drama Director A. The project also reflects the French Institute’s commitment to cultural and environmental sustainability in India, which is conducive to long-term residence.
The program, along with other well-known French programs, attempted to establish an international network of art residences, such as the city of Albertin in the United States, Villa kujoyama in Japan, Casa de Velázquez in Spain, and Villa Medici and Le Grand Tour in Italy. Two characteristics are distinguished from Villa Swagatam: First, the commitment to reciprocity, since 2024, Indian winners have been held in France on the same terms. Second, the program relies on the network of local partners to select and support residents, thus ensuring the program’s visibility thanks to the participation of a wide range of contributors.
Network of France, India and regional partners (Bangladesh and Sri Lanka)
Since its inception, Villa Swagatam has carefully assembled as partners because of their deep roots in a specific cultural context and their ability to represent regional culture in innovative ways. Partner choices – including established living spaces and partners launched through the program as well as workshops, publishers and private foundations – reflect the diversity and vitality of the existing creative ecosystem.
Since September 2024, Swagatam Villa Swagatam has been further enriched by a special network of French partners who have been welcoming Indian writers and creators. These French institutions were selected for excellence and recognition in their respective fields and their strong commitment to international exchanges.
Practical details and living framework
Villa Swagatam calls for an application to be open to any French or Indian national (regardless of the current country of residence), and any applicant (regardless of nationality) who has lived in France or India for more than five years. The selection process is closely collaborated by the Institute of France, India, with each partner to identify candidates who are most suitable for the residence objectives.
The French Institute of India covers international flights, reimbursement of visa fees and monthly allowances to support residents of daily living expenses. Residence rights lasting 1 to 3 months provide accommodation, workspace and production support. Due to its extensive network, the French Institute in India also promotes the connection between residents and major cultural institutions in a particular country, thereby encouraging rich communication during and after residence. Residents devote part of their time to outreach activities, which may include open workshops, school visits or attending literary festivals and art fairs.
Several French and Indian residents from France and India were welcomed by French Ambassador Thierry Mathou in his residence in New Delhi
The program was supported by the Français Institute.
Swagatam Villa includes approximately thirty partner residents, divided into three themes and geographic categories.
In South Asia, the focus is on the following sectors:
literature:
●Alice Boner Institute (Varanasi) – Literature
●Eklavya Foundation (Bhopal) – Children’s Literature
●Himalayan writing about residence (Sathkol) – Literature
●Crazy Salon + Lab (Bangaluru) – Graphic Novels and Comics
●Rachna Books (Gangtok) – Literary/Graphic Novels
●Sangam House (Bangaluru) – Literature
●Sunaparanta Goa Art Centre (Angoulême and Goa) – Graphic Novels and Comics
●Tala Books (Auroville) – Children’s Literature
●Vagamon Writer Residence (Vagamon) – Literature
●Lakmahal Library (Colombo) – Literature
handicraft:
●Brihata Art Foundation (Dhaka) – Handicrafts
●Hampi Art Laboratory (Hampi) – Handicrafts
●Jaipur carpet (Jaipur) – Hand-woven
●Kalhath Institute (Lucknow) – Embroidery
●Katkatha Puppet Art Trust (Faridabad) – Puppets
●Khoj International Residency (New Delhi) – Design, Technology, Curatorial Research, Visual Arts
●Nila House (Jaipur) – Textiles and Indigo
●Indian Public Art Trust (Jodhpur) – Handicrafts
●Accidental Art (New Delhi) – Visual Art
●Vastrakala (Chennai) – Embroidery
●Kochi Muzilis Biennale (Kochi) – Visual Arts
In France, there are ten partners living inhabitants open to all types of art and literature profiles:
●Central Country Pantin – Contemporary Dance
●La Maison dela Poésie de nantes (Nantes) – Poetry
●La Maison des Auteurs -Cité Internationale de la bandedessinéeet de l’igage (Angoulêmeand Goa) – Graphic novels and comics
●La Maison Julien Gracq (Saint-Florent-le-vieil) – Literature
●La Marelle (La Ciotat) – Literature and Mixed Writing Practice
●La Napoule Art Foundation (Château dela Napoule) – Literature, Visual Arts, Performing Arts
●Art Scribe Award X Prameya Art Foundation (Château dela Napoule) – Critical Writing and Curatorial Practice
●La Villa Gillet (Lyon) – Literature
●Made in the country (Paris et al.) – Handicrafts
●Le Chalet Mauriac (Saint -Symphorien) – Translation
