Connecting Vietnamese Culture

Through this program, the French Institute aims to create a bridge between contemporary French creativity and the Vietnamese cultural context. Each year, the program welcomes French artists to create and develop their projects in collaboration with local cultural partners. The residency lasts an average of two months, after which the artworks are presented to the public through exhibitions or performances. The French Institute in Vietnam provides logistical and financial support (production and living expenses) for the artists.

Artists Marine Col (left) and Emmie Masias present their project, "The Heritage of Mother-of-Pearl Mosaic Art."

The application process for the program is open to all artists, regardless of art form, and is announced annually to select candidates for the following year's residency program. The judging panel consists of French and Vietnamese cultural figures and experts, chaired by the cultural department of the French Embassy in Vietnam.

In 2025, for the first time, the program will be expanded to include projects in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Eight art projects by ten award-winning artists will participate in this year's program. Of these, seven projects will be developed in Ho Chi Minh City and one in Hanoi. These projects encompass various fields: two visual arts projects, four literary projects (novels, comics, graphic novels), one photography project, and one music project, running from January to November 2025.

At the press conference, the organizers introduced the artists presenting their creative ideas, including Emmie Masias (who lived in Ho Chi Minh City until she was 8 years old before moving to France) and Marine Col, whose planned residency period is from January 10th to March 12th, with the theme "The Heritage of Mother-of-Pearl Mosaic Craft".

Next, Violaine Lochu and Marie-Suzanne De Loye will present their project, "Rau Ram," which is scheduled for February 11th to March 10th. Their project explores the concept of personal and communal healing through the study of the connections between traditional medicine, religious practices, oral traditions, and music.

Finally, music producer Nodey – the artist from "Villa Saigon" 2018 – shared his experience working and composing in Vietnam.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/ket-noi-van-hoa-viet-phap-185250219215856093.htm