Alliance Française turns 140; To Strengthen Footprints in India post-Pandemic through Innovations, Digital Transformation in Teaching French

New Delhi : Keeping up with the spirit of contributing to Indo-French ties ‘on a daily basis’, Alliance Française, which celebrates the 140th year of its existence, will focus on innovations and a stronger digital presence amid post-pandemic challenges in India as part of its overall strategy to enhance the brand image across the world. Work is also on for a couple of new Alliance Française centres in the country.

The French Ambassador to India, H.E. Mr. Emmanuel Lenain, said“I am very proud of the Alliance française network in India, of its dynamism, its openness, and its ability to reach out to all who are interested in France, all across India. Indeed, Alliance française brings French language and culture, and fosters intercultural dialogues in more than 15 centres and 25 cities in India. It thus contributes daily to enhancing ties between France and India”.

Mr. Lenain said: “Challenges lie ahead, especially in the post-pandemic era, but I know that the Alliance française’ powerful network in India will be able to keep on innovating and thriving in the years to come, with the full support of the Embassy of France. I wish the teams of our Alliance française network a very happy 140th anniversary!”

The main celebration of the 140th year of the Alliance Française will be held in Paris this week —it started on July 21, 1883, in France, by a group that included scientist Louis Pasteur and writer Jules Verne. The celebration, attended by representatives of the network, will be marked by discussions on innovations in teaching French as a foreign language, the local animation, and strengthening the brand around the world.

The Indian Alliance Française centres will be organising their own functions, especially in Chennai and Chandigarh, which are respectively celebrating 70 years and 40 years of being around.

Having started in India, with its first centre in Pondicherry in 1889, the Alliance Française network—its India network is the largest—has cumulatively taught French and other related courses in India, clocking up to 2.2 million hours, with the number of learners reaching 28,000 last year.

For passionate French language readers, the Alliance Française provides an online platform called Culturetheque.

The AF network is introducing its two new centres: Bhubaneshwar and Dehradun, which are extensions and annexes of Alliance Française du Bengale and Alliance Française de Chandigarh, respectively.

As part of their outreach program, the network that recently organised Fête De la Musique is planning to come up with various new campaigns throughout the year directed at adding new members.