« We felt the bad news coming, without realizing it would be so bad. » Last week, Phalene de La Vallette, Julie Malaure (also a colleague of Books of the Week) etc Armelle Gallineauthe organizers of the Angevin Cultissime festival learned that their regional subsidies would not be renewed, despite a promising first edition in 2024. That is 100,000 euros less, in a budget that moved 300,000. This is complete political inconsistency.follows Phalene de La Valette by Books of the Week. It is not logical to invest so much this year and then withdraw completely from the project immediately afterwards. And again, if we were the only ones concerned… »
Local cultural institutions in turmoil
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Because Cultissime is not an isolated case. On October 17, the president (Horizons) Pays de la Loire, Christelle Morançais he announced that he wants to save 100 million euros. ” AWhen the Government is draining communities and growth is slowing down, operational savings are only an option or a gamble “, she said on social networks. The decision includes a 73% reduction of the region’s cultural budget, and a cut of 100 jobs. It raised strong anger in the world of culture, including booksellers and publishers, also affected by the measure.
Some on the left (which is natural) and in the media (not so much) assimilate the savings that the Department intends to make – around 100 million euros – to an “option” or “campaign ”, leading people to believe that I was enjoying some kind of whip… pic.twitter.com/AdcHEBWxcO
— Christelle MORANCAIS (@C_MORANCAIS) November 14, 2024
« 303 edits have just been notified of a scary budget decisionconfirms the editors of the forty-year-old magazine in a press release. The 2025 draft budget provides for a significant 50% reduction in the operating subsidy, before it is withdrawn in 2026. This decision directly threatens the magazine’s existence. »
In another textit is the turn of the French Bookstore Union to want to move. The SLF emphasizes in particular that the use of this measure (checked by elected officials on December 19 and 20) would condemn the association of independent bookstores Pays de la Loire (ALIP) to lose their annual subsidy all in 2025. The Julien Gracq house, the Mobilis resource center and the regional assembly of publishers Coll-Libris would also be affected.
« It is true that culture must find new economic modelsadmits Phalene de la Valette. But at the moment, everything is done so that we depend on these models. » in a interview given to Courier de l’Ouesthe also raised the question of institutional dependence on subsidies from cultural actors. ” French cultural policy for 80 years and the French legal system mean that associations need public subsidies to operate. We would be the first to ask for a for-profit association, but this is prohibited by the 1901 law (on non-profit associations, editor’s note)! “, she said.
Culture to be transferred soon?
So, the end of the festival of cult works? According to the creator, not quite. After a call for donations and an online merchandising store, a monthly newsletter, A cult planthere will be power from next month. In particular, it will include a podcast program where the authors who will be present in the first edition will share their favorite works. Meanwhile, the organizers are considering ” with regret leave the area. But not going anywhere. ” We want a place as attractive as the Jean-Lurçat museumsaid Phalene de la Valette. In short, a cult place. »
2024-12-01 20:10:00
#Pays #Loire #world #books #front #line #budget #cuts #Livres #Hebdo
## Culture in Crisis: An Interview with Phalene de La Vallette
Thank you, Phalene, for joining us today. As one of the organizers of the Cultissime festival,you’ve recently been caught in the crosshairs of the Pays de la Loire region’s drastic budget cuts. can you tell our readers what happened?
**Phalene de La Vallette:**
It’s been a shock, frankly. After a very accomplished first edition in 2024, we were excited about Cultissime’s future. But last week, we learned our regional subsidies wouldn’t be renewed. This represents a loss of €100,000, a important chunk of our €300,000 budget.
Regional President Christelle Morançais has cited the need to save €100 million, with a 73% reduction in the cultural budget. She argues this is necessary in the face of a slowing economy and reduced government funding. What’s yoru response to this justification?
**Phalene de La Vallette:**
While I understand the need for financial prudence,this decision feels short-sighted and deeply damaging to our region’s cultural landscape. It makes no sense to invest heavily in a project like Cultissime one year, only to pull the rug out from under us the next. This is not just about Cultissime’s future; this cut affects countless artists, publishers, booksellers, and cultural institutions across the Pays de la Loire.
How do you see these cuts affecting the cultural fabric of the region?
**Phalene de La Vallette:**
The impact will be profound. These cuts will stifle creativity, limit access to culture for many, and ultimately diminish the vibrancy of our region. Cultissime aims to promote literature and create a platform for emerging voices.Without funding, such initiatives become impractical to realize.
what are your next steps? Will the Cultissime festival continue?
**Phalene de La Vallette:**
We are steadfast to find a way forward. We are exploring all our options, including private funding, partnerships, and alternative funding streams. Cultissime has gained a strong foothold in the community, and we are committed to finding a solution that allows us to continue celebrating literature and culture.
This situation raises broader concerns about the value placed on culture in our society. What message would you like to send to policymakers?
**Phalene de La vallette:**
Culture is not a luxury; it is essential to a thriving society. It fosters creativity, critical thinking, and empathy. Investing in culture is investing in our future.Cutting cultural budgets sends a damaging message about the value we place on these vital aspects of our lives. We urge policymakers to reconsider these cuts and prioritize the cultural well-being of our communities.
