The French Institute in India has announced the selection of 28 artists and writers for this year's Villa Swagatam residency programme.

The programme, now in its second edition, has grown to include 27 locations across India, France, and Bangladesh, fostering artistic collaborations.

Villa Swagatam aims to strengthen cultural ties between India and France by pairing artists with residencies that align with their specific interests and genres. This year's edition has expanded its reach, featuring 18 residencies in India, one in Bangladesh, and 10 in France.

French ambassador Thierry Mathou emphasised the programme's commitment to reciprocity, stating: "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."

Sourced by: TT Online

The selected laureates represent a diverse range of artistic disciplines, including literature, poetry, design, and visual arts. Their projects promise to push the boundaries of cross-cultural artistic expression, addressing themes such as environmental changes, multicultural experiences, and traditional crafts.

Antonin Mongin, a French researcher and artisan selected for the Vastrakala Craft Residency in Chennai, shared his unique project: “I aim to collect hair donations from the Tirumala Temple with traditional embroidery at Vastrakala. This project will explore the origins of fibres used in textiles, transforming donated hair into unique fabrics that embody individual stories and spiritual devotion."

Visual artist and sculptor Kavita Singh, heading to Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris, explained: "My work centres on the environmental changes in urban spaces. This residency will provide me with the opportunity to engage with the ecological narrative of Paris, creating sculptures that reflect the city's environmental challenges and innovations."

The selection process drew nearly 450 applicants, evenly split between French and Indian creators. The programme's inaugural 2023-2024 edition has already yielded results, with several participants gaining international acclaim for their boundary-pushing work.