There Villa Swagatam was inaugurated on March 3, 2023 by the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Catherine Colonna. This network of sixteen artistic and literary residencies in different cities of India welcomes French artists (or foreigners who have lived in France for more than five years), selected in close collaboration with the different residencies on the basis of their work project and their interest in the program.

The aim is to create a community of French creators who, after several weeks of immersion in Indian culture and a desire to benefit from the country's know-how and wealth, will enter into a long-term collaboration with India and Indian artists.

What makes Villa Swagatam special?

The Villa Swagatam complements the valuable network of French residencies abroad, comprising the Casa de Velázquez (Spain), the Villa Médicis (Italy), the Villa Kujoyama (Japan), the Villa Albertine (USA) and Le Nouveau Grand Tour (Italy). However, this innovative programme seeks to fit more firmly into a logic of reciprocity and, having established a network of sixteen partner residencies on the Indian side, the French Institute of India is working to identify residencies in France that could host Indian laureates on the basis of the same specifications.