'Villa Swagatam is designed not as a one-time opportunity but as a catalyst for long-term collaboration'

The French Institute in India and the French Embassy in India have announced the launch of the fourth edition of the Villa Swagatam cross-residency programme, an initiative aimed at deepening artistic and literary exchange between France and South Asia.The latest call for applications is open to both French and Indian candidates for residencies scheduled across 2026–2027. Submissions will be accepted until May 31, 2026, with selected participants joining a growing network of cultural practitioners working across disciplines.Launched in 2023, Villa Swagatam has evolved into a platform for sustained collaboration, bringing together artists, writers, translators, designers and researchers through residencies lasting one to three months. The programme places particular emphasis on literature and arts and crafts, while encouraging immersive engagement with local cultural contexts.A defining feature of the initiative is its reciprocal structure. Since 2024, Indian residents have been hosted in France under the same framework, ensuring a two-way exchange rather than a one-sided movement of talent. The programme now operates through a network of nearly 30 partner institutions across both regions.Over its first three editions, Villa Swagatam has supported close to 100 residents, facilitating collaborations across visual arts, literature, design and translation. The initiative was also presented to Emmanuel Macron during his official visit to India, highlighting its role in strengthening cultural ties between the two countries.The fourth edition coincides with the India-France Year of Innovation 2026 and introduces several new partnerships and formats. In France, residencies will expand to institutions such as the Musée d’Art Contemporain de Lyon and the Fondation Thalie, alongside a new literary residency in La Réunion and a research residency with the Institut d’études avancées de Nantes.In South Asia, the programme is extending its footprint with new collaborations in India, Bangladesh and Bhutan. This includes a literary residency in New Delhi, a crafts-focused residency in partnership with StoneX Global, and the programme’s first initiative in Bhutan with VAST Bhutan. An itinerant literary residency across multiple Indian cities is also being introduced, reflecting an effort to rethink traditional residency formats.Officials say the programme is designed not as a one-time opportunity but as a catalyst for long-term collaboration, with many past participants continuing to work across borders through exhibitions, publications and joint projects.