Soon to come to the end of his four-year term as director of the Alliance Française (French Language and Cultural Centre in Gqeberha, situated in Richmond Hill), Guillaume Favier Nirere is as passionate about the Alliance and its aim of creating a more interconnected way of life and communication as he was when he first set foot in our bay.
Likewise, he has grown ever more passionate about our beautiful city during his stay here with his family.
Guillaume’s fascination with different cultures was the driving force behind joining the Alliance 15 years ago, and his time in Gqeberha did not disappoint.
“The size of the city makes it extremely easy to get around, and I love it that the various neighbourhoods indeed have different personalities, characteristics and a variety of different inhabitants! Richmond Hill itself is a real gem.
“The houses, their local vegetation’s rich colours (as colourful as its residents) and all the trees are sublime and make the neighbourhood unique,” he says with a smile.
Within this appealing setting, Guillaume and his team promote the cultures of French-speaking countries and encourage connections between cultures.
“At the Alliance, we teach mainly French but also isiXhosa and English, and organise regular weekly cultural events, like film screenings, music concerts, literary exchanges, etc. We’re here to show that the world is a real source of abundance and that otherness strengthens us.”
With the main goal being forging relationships and links between people, Guillaume states wholeheartedly, “Learning a language and mastering it also means experimenting with it. That’s why there are establishments like ours. What could be more necessary in today’s world than getting together, in real life?”
“The first thing I did when I knew I’d be working in Gqeberha was to read a book on the history of South Africa. I’m keen to learn as much as possible before forming an opinion, trying to understand the society I’m coming into without letting my prejudices guide me.”
His understanding of South African culture has inevitably grown during his time here, but Guillaume, ever modest, says, “I think I have a better understanding of the issues at stake in South African society, but I also now know that it’s a culturally rich and complex society. There are still things I don’t understand.”
His contributions to our city have been all but modest, though, and his enthusiasm is infectious when he speaks about the Richmond Hill Music Festival.
“I am extremely proud to have organised the Alliance Française Music Festival in 2022 and 2023 in Richmond Hill. This event was created by my predecessors 15 years ago, inspired by a similar French festival. I’d like to thank Shaun Van Eck, from Discover Mandela Bay, for all his hard work in preparing this event. It was an honour to offer this and allow the people to take ownership of their city in the beautiful Richmond Hill area. I would’ve loved to organise this festival again in 2024 and 2025.”
His favourite French film, Nous Trois Ou Rien (All Three of Us), with its central themes of commitment, love and the essential ingredient of humour, is an apt reflection of where Guillaume’s priorities lie.
He comments on the resilience of South Africans, but also on the injustice and inequality that still exist and expresses his wish for more daily activism and less laissez-faire.
There are many things that Guillaume and his family will miss: sunrises over the bay, the unique and enchanting light during winter days here and climbing the Maitland beach dunes.
But he is looking forward to, once again, indulging in a good potato gratin – La Tartiflette – containing a creamy cheese, Le Reblochon, with a good red wine in the French Alps.
His hopes include that the Alliance Française, the only foreign cultural centre in the Eastern Cape, will be recognised as a valuable asset to the people of Gqeberha.
Unequivocally, he states, “I want the local people to realise that the Alliance is for them and, as we’re a non-profit association, they can also get involved in projects of public benefit. It offers a window onto a corner of the world, and what could be more precious? We are not here for the French people, but for the South Africans.”
A dance performance from France at the Athenaeum on August 26 will portray how dances from all over the world have contributed to the fight for human rights. There are also some art exhibitions coming up soon. For more information, see www.facebook.com/af.portelizabeth/.
