Quentin Biehler, the new director of the French Institute of Mauritius (IFM), is not the only one to have been immersed in Mauritian life since September. Four other new faces accompany him… A special feature: this literature and cinema enthusiast plays both classical and jazz piano. Dominique Bellier
Quentin Biehler, the dashing forty-something, has taken over from Muriel Piquet-Viaux as Cooperation and Cultural Action Advisor (COCAC) and Director of the Institut Français de Maurice. He then spent the last three years at the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, as head of the human rights unit working with the United Nations and international organizations. Our contact person’s background is both eclectic and typical of French diplomatic careers.
Référent Égalité femmes-hommes à l’IFM, his experience of human rights and his cooperation missions have led him to develop links with a number of organizations involved in this field. He has already announced an event for November 30: an ephemeral solidarity village offering a sort of Christmas market animated by associations.
His dual role as COCAC and Director of the IFM, coupled with his background as a political advisor, means that he will be paying close attention to ensuring that the IFM’s activities are consistent with the Embassy’s action plan, in harmony with “Team France”, and other operators such as the AFD, which has a strong presence in Mauritius. The time is still ripe for discovery, but Quentin Biehler already assures us that the dialogue and actions undertaken around Mauritian sport, with the contribution of the HOPE association, will continue more than ever. Cooperation agreements should also take shape in the field of museums and heritage, where great needs have been identified. Work begun last year on the 4e Our Future Europe/Africa Forum will continue, notably in conjunction with the Foundation for Innovation in Democracy (FIDEMO), of which Achille Membe is no less of an inspiration…
Among the issues under consideration, the strengthening and revitalization of the Microfolie is on the agenda, as is a massive roll-out of digital activities, from e-sport to support for Mauritius’s French tech, via the creation of video games, the development of AI, Mauritian start-ups, etc. A film festival developed with AI in Mauritius is also planned as part of this year’s Digital November!
In the foreground, from left to right, general secretary Céline Lancery, who oversees finance, human resources and logistics, and new cultural attaché Anaïs Robert, who is actively working on the 2025 program .
In the background, Quentin Biehler, flanked by Adrien Schwartz, in charge of the digital economy and innovation (left), and Christophe Clanché, Mr. Education, also in charge of training, research and promotion of the French-speaking world.
