The third largest city in the Indian State of Gujarat, the sanskari nagari of Baroda is an important historical, academic, and administrative hub. Recognising its importance, Alliance Française d’Ahmedabad had established an annex in the city sixteen years ago in 2003. This annex marked an important milestone on July 8, 2019 as it shifted base to its new premises in the Nizampura area near the prestigious MS University which is especially famous for its Fine Arts Department. The red-letter day was marked with an inauguration ceremony in the presence of the Chief Guests Her Highness Rajmata Saheb Shubhangini Devi of Baroda and His Highness Maharaja of Rajpipla Shri Raghubir Singh Gohil.

The team of AF Ahmedabad and the Baroda Annex at the inauguration of the latter

Lending their support on the occasion were Dr. Bertrand de Hartingh (Counsellor for Education, Science and Culture, Embassy of France in India); Karan Grover (Architect); Gaël de Kerguenec (Director, Alliance Française d’Ahmedabad), Pavan Bakeri (President, AF Ahmedabad); and Manvendra Singh Gohil (the Prince of Rajpipla). The ceremony provided an opportune moment for journalists to conduct a round-table interview with the French Counsellor, the Director, the President, and the other dignitaries about how the Baroda Annex created opportunities for the denizens of the city to explore the French language and expand their horizons. It was followed by a solo Rawanhatta recital and the evening concluded with a few video clips highlighting the objectives of Alliance Française.

Gaël de Kerguenec (Director, AF Ahmedabad), Her Highness Rajmata Saheb Shubhangini Devi of Baroda, his Highness Maharaja of Rajpipla Shri Raghubir Singh Gohil, and Dr. Bertrand de Hartingh

Thanks to its partnership with Campus France, the Baroda annex has enabled students to pursue further studies in France. With its international connections, the centre has also attracted artists, painters, musicians, and dancers from the subcontinent and abroad thereby enabling them to showcase their art. Drawing from the rich legacy of Alliance Française d’Ahmedabad, which itself was established in 1981, the Baroda annex is a shining example of the thriving and ever-evolving relationship between India and France!

The ceremonial lighting of the lamp for inaugurating the new premises

Khayal Trivedi

Cultural & Communication Coordinator, Alliance Française d’Ahmedabad