Meet the new faces of Alliance Française Bangkok

Welcome to the new members of Alliance Française Bangkok’s team!

Alliance Française Bangkok has recently undergone a number of changes in key positions on its team. We are delighted to introduce these new faces who have joined the existing team.

Mr. Jean Bourdin: new director

Previously Director of Alliance Française Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, Mr. Jean Bourdin has extensive international experience on behalf of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, having worked in South Africa as Director of Alliance Française Johannesburg and General Delegate of the Southern African network, Director of Alliance Brasilia, and Head of International Relations for the Rectorat de l'académie d'Amiens. He succeeds Sylvain Bano, whose mission is to continue the development of Alliance Française Bangkok, particularly in the context of the forthcoming opening of the new One Bangkok district.

Ms Katia Mohandi: new deputy director and pedagogical director

Previously Director of Courses at the Institut français de Birmanie, Ms. Katia Mohandi joined the Alliance team last May as Assistant and Pedagogical Director, succeeding Ms. Valérie Morvan. With many years' experience in teaching French as a foreign language, Ms Mohandi will be responsible for developing the Alliance's on-site and online course programs, managing the teaching team and offering courses that are increasingly adapted to students' needs.

Sara Giugliano: new Head of Cultural Services and Art Centre

Sara Giugliano took over from Malaurie Carras at the end of May as head of the Alliance's cultural services, art center and rental spaces. Previously coordinator of decentralized cooperation between Bordeaux-Métropole and the State of Telangana in India, Ms Giugliano will be responsible for developing the Alliance's cultural programming, expanding artistic activities and strengthening links between artists, audiences and the French-speaking and Thai communities.

Ms. Julia Védrine: new head of the books and multimedia department

A graduate in Literature and Museology and previously manager of several Waterstones Group bookshops in London, Ms Julia Védrine has also worked as a tour guide in France and the UK. She joined Alliance Française Bangkok team last May, and since her arrival has been responsible for the creation of a new Book and Multimedia centre within the Alliance, bringing together the media library and the Carnets d'Asie bookshop in a single space. Ms. Védrine will be responsible for coordinating collections and activities in the media library, and for continuing to develop the library's appeal not only to French-speaking readers, but also to Thai and foreign readers.

Many thanks to Mr. Sylvain Bano, Director, Ms. Valérie Morvan, Deputy Director and Pedagogical Director and Ms. Malaurie Carras, Head of Culture and Rentals

The Board of Directors and Alliance Française Bangkok would like to express their gratitude to Mr. Sylvain Bano, Ms. Valérie Morvan, and Ms. Malaurie Carras for their dedication and exceptional contributions to the development of Alliance Française Bangkok and its management, particularly during the two years of the covid-19 pandemic. Their work has laid the foundations for many projects and initiatives that will continue to flourish under the Alliance's new management.

We hope you will have the opportunity to meet the new team on your next visit to the Alliance, and we invite you to participate in its many upcoming events, courses and artistic activities.

Upcoming courses at Alliance Française Bangkok :

French school courses for native French speakers from age 3, starting September 14.
French as a foreign language courses for children aged 3 and over, starting September 12.
Thai courses specially designed for French speakers, from September 25.
Thai courses for English speakers, online, from October 2
Dance and chess classes for children, from September 21
Fashion and interior design courses, from September 21