Strengthening France’s Cultural Soft Power Alongside Saison Méditerranée 2026
A Broad Program to Promote France and the Euro-Mediterranean Region’s Creative Power
By supporting Saison Méditerranée 2026 led by the Institut français, the AXA Foundation for Human Progress is committing to a cultural diplomacy project that enhances the influence and outreach of France and the Euro-Mediterranean area. This aligns with a vision of soft power where culture, dialogue, and the capacity to unite civil societies serve as drivers of openness and innovation.
The Institut français acts as a catalyst for cultural diplomacy: through Saison Méditerranée, it brings together artists, civil society organizations, institutions, businesses, and audiences around initiatives supporting youth, inclusion, and diversity. We join this momentum, convinced that the circulation of ideas, imaginaries, and talents fosters social resilience and sustainable development.
Rolling out across France from May 15 to October 31, 2026, with an grand opening in Marseille, Saison Méditerranée is built on three pillars that resonate with the our values:
Creating links between shores, generations, and regions
Transmitting and renewing contemporary cultural narratives and practices
Promoting inclusion and openness by sharing cultural experiences with all audiences, particularly in nonconventional venues (hospitals, prisons, schools, social centers, etc.).
Through this support, we reaffirm our role as en engaged civil society actor and our conviction that investing in culture, dialogue, and diversity contributes to social cohesion and paves the way for a more sustainable and inclusive future for all.
Jan 2026