On the occasion of the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union, we interviewed Gala-Alexa Amagat, the cultural attaché ad interim of the Institut français des Pays-Bas, about her role in the institute and the plans of the institute for the coming six months. We also talked about what she values about being a member of EUNIC Netherlands and what topics in the cultural sector are especially important to her 🇪🇺🇫🇷
Curious to find out more? Read her interview below.
1) What role do you play in your institute/embassy?
As of October 2021, I am the cultural attachée ad interim at the Institut français des Pays-Bas. Before holding this position, I worked as transversal project manager at the institute for three years. The Institut français des Pays-Bas isthe French agency for cultural cooperation in the Netherlands: it supports French-Dutch mobility and partnerships in the fields of creation, research, education and ideas, and it assists cultural, research and educational professionals in their development in France and the Netherlands. We also curate public programs in partnership with Dutch cultural and academic institutions to foster dialogue between our European societies on contemporary issues, and to stimulate European cooperation. Our institute also promotes the learning of the French language and encourages multilingualism in the Netherlands. At the Institut français des Pays-Bas, we are convinced of the added value of interdisciplinary programs, for example linking art and science, but also tailoring cultural programs to younger audiences and therefore strive to build projects engaging, where possible, the three departments of our institute: cultural, academic and educational.
2) How do you contribute to EUNIC?
The Institut français des Pays-Bas has been actively participating in several programs led by the EUNIC-NL cluster over the past years, with the aim to foster European collaboration in the field of cultural diplomacy. This year the Institut français des Pays-Bas will contribute to the coordination of the European Literature Night and participate in the organization of several workshops around the topic of fair practices in the cultural sector, related to the Fair Practice Code. This is an essential topic for us, especially in the context of the French Presidency of European Union, during which France will initiate a reflection upon the European directive on copyright.
3) What is the best aspect about being a EUNIC Netherlands’ member?
Culture is at the heart of our identity as Europeans. The development of intercultural exchanges in Europe through the mobility of artists and cultural professionals is key. Consequently, being part of the network of EUNIC Netherlands is a great opportunity to further strengthen cultural exchanges and collaborations with other European cultural institutes by sharing our experiences, best practices and by building long-lasting projects together.
Thank you, Gala-Alexa Amagat, for taking the time for this interview and we are looking forward to many exciting projects and events together.
