Pondicherry French Alliance
| 18 November 2008
The French Alliance of Paris was created on July 21st of 1883, initiated by Jules Ferry's cabinet. It became a foundation in 2007, whith its main mission being the promotion of the French language and French culture abroad. The foundation governs and supports a worldwide network that counts over 1000 French Alliances.
The Pondy French Alliance is one of the oldest. Created in 1886, just 3 years after the first one in Paris. There are 12 Af's in India and several affliated organisations. In the beginning, the Af was created as a complement to the French Lycée. The latter was for the French. The Af therefore offered an opportunity to the Indians to learn French. The institution is composed of 2 buildings in the 'White Town' : one is on 58 Suffren street and the other one on 37, Dumas street.
The Af is a non-profit association. The French governement gives a mandate to the director and an annual subsidy. However, the Alliance has to find and generate income through its classes, cultural activities and now with sponsors. The association's statutes clearly state that the Alliance does not involve itself in any political or religious matters.
As far as strategic decisions are concerned, like programs, costs, maintenance and relationships with local government, the administrative council is in charge. Composed of 12 members, it is represented by its president. For any change in the statutes, the Af has to refer to Delhi authorities, who coordinate the Alliances on Indian territory.
As Dr. Nallam says, the French seem to have an interest in Pondicherry again. For the last 10/15 years, quite a few writers and filmakers have come, a number of documentaries been made and broadcast and many articles have appeared in journals.
Whilst the main activity of the Af is teaching French, it also offers cultural activities to its members such as : cinema, concerts, literary meetings, animations for childern...
In the beginning approximately 85% of the students were French Pondicherians getting ready to go to France, and 15% were other Indians. In recent times the trend has reversed with 90% being other Indian students. Students come to Pondicherry (mostly from the North of the India) for the "french" ambiance, the French restaurants... The demand for French classes has also risen as it is an added value to speak French for companies related to tourism.
In 2008, there are over 1600 members at the Af. In 2007 there were one third this number. The number of students grows by 10% every year, there are now 1350 students following one or several classes which makes over 2200 subscriptions. The staff (administration, teachers and technicians) counts about 20 people.
The Af is now led by Michel Houdayer, director since 2007 January 1st. It is composed of two beautiful buildings ; one, called Maison Bellocq from the name of its donator, in rue Suffren where all the offices are; the library, the auditorium and the class-rooms. The second building, maison Colombani donated by Monsieur Colombani, is on rue Dumas and has a multimedia center with wifi, French computer classes, a language lab, an exhibition hall and a garden with its Café de Flore. This is where the concerts and open air cinema take place.
More detail about the French Alliance in Pondicherry
The Af now has a website in French and English with all the details and programs : www.alliancefrancaisepondichery.com