Chandernagore will, for the first time, observe the anniversary of the Indo-French Treaty of Cession on February 2 with a full-time director heading the Institut de Chandernagore this year.

Rila Mukherjee, former head of history at the University of Hyderabad, took charge of the institute in October.

The institute was established as a museum and art gallery in 1952 and reoriented as an Indo-French cultural centre and museum in 1966. Though the post of a full-time director was created in 1977, the institute did not have one all these years.

Mukherjee has already hit the ground running, picking five areas for immediate action — library, museum, French language teaching, cultural activities and developing an institute for higher studies.

“The library has a wealth of printed primary sources and some 17th century Bengali manuscripts. We have taken an initiative to digitise our collection. About half of the 180 rare books have already been digitally archived,” said Mukherjee, sitting at her Ballygunge home.

“The museum showcases European commercial presence along the Hooghly. Samples of Farashdanga dhuti (Chandernagore was referred to as Farashdanga earlier, being Farashi or French territory) with a distinctive border displayed at the museum run the risk of getting frayed at the folds. We will consult textile conservationists on how best to showcase them,” she said.

The institute also aims to promote cultural activities such as a film club for screening new French titles, exhibitions of local sculptors and international conferences.