Sarcelles wants to regain its former glory. A stronghold of urban culture in the early 1990s, the town of 60,000 inhabitants gradually disappeared from the Ile-de-France cultural scene. “I refuse to say that there is no culture in Sarcelles, annoys Annick L’Ollivier-Langlade, 1st assistant. We have around forty shows of all kinds scheduled each season, with a budget of 1 million euros… Few cities can say the same! “
At the launch of the new cultural season, this Monday evening, the mayor (PS) Patrick Haddad rightly reaffirmed his desire to energize and enrich culture, throughout his mandate. “We will try, even if it takes time, to improve the offer, not only in terms of shows but also structures,” he said.
An 800-seat room planned
Among other things, he highlighted the future 800-seat auditorium planned for the area around Garges-Sarcelles station, as part of the future Anru project. “Le Cèdre Bleu will also help develop and complete the offer in the field,” says Annick L’Ollivier-Langlade. The work of the media library will soon be completed. Culture is a priority of the mandate! “
The former mayor, François Pupponi, castigates “ad effects”. “On the equipment, he only resumed my program of six years ago. I myself started all these projects in 2015. What I see is that they have still not succeeded, squeals the deputy (DVG) and leader of the municipal opposition. After the words, I wait for the actions! “
A municipal councilor responsible for urban culture
Two symbols can illustrate a certain shift in municipal politics. The new mayor entrusted the delegation for culture to the first deputy, as Nicolas Maccioni had initiated during his – short – stint in the mayor’s seat. Another delegation, this time to urban culture, was also created and entrusted to the municipal councilor, Eric Checco.
This renowned director in the hip-hop world, who for example was at the origin of the Urban Peace concert organized in 2002 at the Stade de France, is full of ideas. And ambition. “Sarcelles will become the Mecca of national and international urban culture,” he enthuses. There is work, but there will be no problem! “
The municipal councilor, who discovered the Twins dancers, wishes to create a “Factory” within the old movie theaters of Flanades, stuffed with asbestos and abandoned. “We will select artists for creation, training and distribution,” announces Eric Checco. Heavy work is to be expected, we are looking for state funding, but we will get there! “
A label to promote local artists
The director of the Checco Company also plans to create a “label” to promote local artists, produce a festival bringing together the “gotha” of international graffiti or even invent “immense and magnificent frescoes” in the streets of the city. “Sarcelles did not understand that it carried within it the capacity to make the whole world know what contemporary culture is,” says Eric Checco. We will create living together with the emotion that culture provides. “
An enticing program, the achievements of which will be scrutinized and eagerly awaited. In particular by the other “mayor” of the city, according to the words of one of his songs: Driver. The rapper and great local figure, judges “that there is nothing more. Culture has never really been a priority. Since I was born here, I haven’t seen any change. “
