“These four years have been nothing less than a blessing”: Guillaume Ripaud

Mbulelo Mpofu, Nodumo Moyo

THE Alliance Française de Bulawayo marked the end of an era last week as outgoing director Guillaume Ripaud was celebrated by friends, teachers, artists, cultural practitioners and members of the Bulawayo community ahead of his return to Paris, France.Ripaud, who has led the cultural and educational institution for the past four years, was showered with gifts, tributes and fond memories at a farewell gathering that also doubled as a reception for his successor, Joanna Jacquet.

His departure brings to a close a tenure characterised by cultural exchange, artistic collaboration, language education and community engagement, with the outgoing director leaving behind an institution that has increasingly positioned itself as a meeting point between Zimbabwe and the

Francophone world.Ripaud arrived in Bulawayo on August 31, 2022, and over the course of his four-year tenure became a familiar figure within the city’s creative and cultural circles.Reflecting on his time in the city, Ripaud said the experience had surpassed his expectations, describing his years in Bulawayo as a blessing and an “amazing journey”.

“It has been four years since I arrived in Bulawayo, on 31 August 2022. I have not seen the time fly by. It seems like yesterday and I guess it’s a good sign when time goes so fast. These four years here have been nothing less than a blessing and an amazing journey.

“I’ve met so many wonderful people, worked with incredibly talented and driven individuals, and made lasting friendships along the way. For all of that, I can only be truly grateful.”

Among the entertainers at the event were jazz musicians and couple George Phahlane and Pathie Ncube of Ebony Sheikh, whose music added to the celebratory atmosphere, while comedian Frank Chirisa brought his trademark humour to the occasion.

For many local artists, however, Ripaud’s greatest legacy extends beyond the events hosted at Alliance Française. His tenure was also marked by his willingness to work closely with creative practitioners, helping them navigate opportunities beyond Zimbabwe and facilitating connections between local artists and their French counterparts.

Director of Ezimnyama Dance Ensemble, Phibion Ncube, described Ripaud as more than a cultural administrator, saying he had become part of the creative community’s extended family.

“Guillaume was a part of us. You know, he would understand our needs and do his best to assist us,” Ncube said.

He recalled Ripaud’s assistance when Ezimnyama artists travelled abroad, particularly to France, saying his guidance helped them understand what to expect before they even left Zimbabwe.

“He really assisted us a lot with the tour and gave us a clear idea of what to expect when we got to France. By the time we travelled, we already had a good understanding of what awaited us,” he said.

Ncube also credited Ripaud with helping artistes broaden their linguistic abilities.“All Ezimnyama artistes now know how to communicate in French. It was because of him. He became like family to us,” he said.Animator Kadelwa Ndlovu similarly reflected on the close bond that developed during Ripaud’s tenure, saying he had gained not just a colleague, but a brother in the outgoing director.

Ripaud’s own reflections on his tenure centred heavily on the role Alliance Française has played in creating those conversations.“In the field of culture, I’m really proud of what we’ve achieved. I believe Alliance Française has served as a bridge between France, French-speaking African countries and Zimbabwe, helping to bring our cultures and people a little closer together,” he

Under his leadership, the institution hosted and organised more than 350 events of varying sizes, drawing thousands of people and providing artists with a platform to create, experiment and engage audiences.

Many creative practitioners used the Alliance Française premises as a space for artistic development, while audiences increasingly embraced the institution not only as a centre for French language learning, but also as a home for cultural exchange.

“Over the past four years, we have worked with so many talented artistes and partners, hosting and organising more than 350 events of different sizes and bringing together thousands of people. Many artistes have used our premises as a space to create, while many others have found in this place a platform to showcase their work. Our public has also been incredibly supportive of what we do, and I hope they have come to consider this place a little bit like home,” he said.

As Ripaud prepares to return to Paris, the institution now enters another chapter under Jacquet, who officially assumes the director’s position on September 1.Having arrived in Bulawayo almost a fortnight ago, Jacquet used the farewell gathering to acknowledge the foundation laid by her predecessor while introducing herself to the community she will soon serve.

She expressed her appreciation for Ripaud’s contribution and pledged to continue the work he had started.

Her arrival comes at a significant moment for the institution, which now has to preserve the relationships and momentum built over the past four years while also bringing a new vision to its programmes.