In our recent visit at the French Embassy exhibition stand at the ongoing ZITF, located at Hall 4, My Kasi Magazine caught up with Mr Guillaume Ripaud, the Director of Alliance Française de Bulawayo.

Ripaud shared insights into the organisation’s contributions to the city’s culture.

“We teach French and we also create cultural exchanges between France and Zimbabwe we’ve been organising hundred events, with international African and Zimbabwean artists.”

Established 75 years ago, Alliance Française de Bulawayo promotes various art forms, including visual arts, dance, spoken word, poetry, and music. Ripaud emphasised.

“We promote all kind of arts every artist can come to Alliance and propose a project and we’ll work together,we never ask artists to pay.

” We should pay them because they live from the work of art.”

The organisation relies on grants from the French Embassy to operate cultural events, with revenue from French classes and exams supporting teachers and taxes.

Ripaud expressed the need for private sponsorship to support local artists.

“What would be good for us is to get some private sponsorship to even do more folklore artists and be able to pay them more.”

Ripaud highlighted the importance of collaboration and mutual respect in cultural exchange, stating.

“In all our international events, involving French or African French speaking artists, the goal is to create a collaboration with Zimbabwe artistes. It is the essence of building such events.”

The Alliance’s mission is to promote French language and cultural diversity, offering language classes, cultural events, and educational programs. Ripaud highlights the organisation’s commitment to empowering local artists, saying.

“Our purpose is to make Alliance a hub for local artists, so they can feel at home at Alliance, rehearse, and develop their own events.”

Some of the notable events hosted by the Alliance include Francophonie Week, Fête de la Musique, and exhibitions showcasing local and international artists. The Alliance also offers certified French language courses and translations services.

Upcoming events include “Strange Moment with Barbs” on Thursday, with free access, and a scientific event with the Natural History Museum of Bulawayo and the French Embassy on Friday at 3 PM, also free.

Ripaud’s vision for Alliance Française de Bulawayo is clear: to create a platform for local artists to thrive, fostering cultural exchange and artistic expression in the region.

As he noted, “It’s always about creating a bridge between Zimbabwe and France.”

The Alliance Française de Bulawayo continues to be a driving force in promoting cultural exchange and artistic expression in the region, with a commitment to empowering local artists and showcasing the best of Zimbabwean and international talent.