PARTNER
INTERVIEW
MANUEL BOUARD, DIRECTOR OF THE FRENCH INSTITUTE IN SERBIA
THE SERBIAN YOUTH Is Our Priority The health crisis compels us to consider new models of cooperation. We are working on the development of digital programmes that will complement existing ones and find their audience through adaptation to suit the needs of the modern world, says Mr Manuel Bouard, director of the French Institute in Serbia
M
anuel Bouard, counsellor for cooperation and culture at the French Embassy in Belgrade and, as of recently, director of the French Institute in Serbia, does not face an easy mission. Specifically, he is expected to bring even further improvements to the already extremely high-quality programme and work of the institution he heads. That provided ample reason for our interview. As a counsellor for culture at the French Embassy in Serbia, you are familiar with the local culture scene. How would you describe it; what would you emphasise and what would you criticise? - Many young creative artists provide dynamism to the artistic life of Serbia, and that is encouraging. We are especially joyful about the increasing presence of women in the world of comics, as well as in the field of fine arts. We follow them with enthusiasm. It is necessary for that independent scene in Serbia to be more visible. We are here to support the establishing of professional partnerships with the French cultural milieu. But culture in Serbia certainly also lives thanks to the Serbian institutions with which the French Institute regularly cooperates. The French Institute has a recognisable and successful programme in Serbia. Will you initiate some changes aimed at improving it even more? - Our long-term goals have not changed: we are working to promote cooperation and partnerships in the domains of culture, linguistics and science. We attach special importance to the decentralisation of events and the revival of cooperation across the entire territory. Many travelling projects, such as the French Film Caravan or the Climate Caravan, are appearing throughout Serbia, thanks to our branches in Niš and Novi Sad. However, the youth of Serbia is still our priority, because they are the future of the country and the future of French-Serbian
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relations. And that’s why a large number of our projects are directed towards them. I would emphasise two strategic goals: defending the French language represents our traditional mission, but that language should no longer be considered only the language of culture. Over 300 million people speak French. It is a language that enables travel and work in France, but also in Africa, Canada and many other countries. And that’s why we will work even more to highlight its advantages for the professional life of individuals. Secondly, the health crisis compels us to consider new models of cooperation. We are working on the development of digital programmes that will complement existing ones and find their audience through adaptation to suit the needs of the modern world. The state of emergency declared during the pandemic is, unfortunately, still a current topic due to the cancelling of plans and activities in all areas, including culture. How will you try to overcome the break in activity? - Encounters are the heart of our work. It is a genuine form of suffering for artists, for people from the world of culture and ideas, that they cannot travel and make contact with the audience. An entire way of life has been brought into question. That’s why we need to establish new links between our cultures, to focus on research, starting with the digital kind, which will enable respect for the imposed measures of distancing while still enabling debates and exchanges of opinions, which represent a source of creativity and a better life. The digital world and the world of social networks are our allies in this difficult time. Thus, French language courses are no longer held only at the French Institute, but also at a distance. These are the beginnings of our digital offer. Francophonie, the trademark event of the Institute, was this year held in a form adapted to the situation imposed by the Cor-
