The 10th anniversary commemoration ceremonies of the Charlie Hebdo and Hyper Cacher massacres, an evening of commemoration “are not welcome” at the l’Univers cinema on rue Georges Danton in Lille.
The commemoration evening on January 11, 2025 of the 10 years of the massacres of January 2015, organized by Printemps Républicain and the Les Mariannes du Nord association, with the broadcast of the documentary film by Isabelle Cottenceau on Richard Malka’s pleading at the trial, with a time for discussion with the spectators in the presence of Marika Bret, president of the PR, and the president of the Les Mariannes du Nord association, framed by the exhibition of 50 drawings by Charb (exhibited last month in Côte d’or: ) is not welcome at the Lille Universe cinema.
“The L’univers cinema on rue Georges Danton in Lille had given an agreement in principleand we spoke during our meeting on November 7 about the fact that Ms. Marika Bret had been living for 10 years under police protection and the possibility of fears that this could arouse. Fear is human, it can be discussed and anticipated, but the director assured us that this did not pose a problem.
The CA, meeting on Thursday, November 21, finally refused the event on the grounds that this film and these drawings would be “tendentious”. “Tendentious” Charb’s drawings, “tendentious” Richard Malka’s pleading.
Additional explanations were requested from the CA: it would ultimately be Printemps Républicain “which has controversial positions which are not in agreement with the editorial line of this place” which poses a problem. The association “Les Mariannes du Nord” can offer a session on this theme, but by choosing a different angle and speakers.”
Some comments:
– Charb was assassinated by Islamist terrorists due to these drawings but these are not welcome in the Universe to commemorate the 10 years of his death
– The pleading of Richard Malka which describes the process of this event and which provides reflection tools to cope with it is not welcome to the Universe 10 years after the events
– Le Printemps Républicain which since its creation in 2016 has defended the values of the French Republic : universalism, equality, liberty, fraternity and secularism is not welcome in this associative place financed by local and national authorities. And we won’t know what the controversial positions are…
– Marika Bret, president of the PR and former HR director of Charlie Hebdo who has lived under police protection for 10 years is not welcome at the Cinema l’Univers.
– Myself, referent for the Hauts de France of the Republican Spring and having been for more than 30 years a radiologist at the cancer center in Lille (Centre Oscar Lambret) I’m not welcome at the Univers cinema.
The team responsible for the venue fears “potential heated debates, disagreements and discontent”. For information, the play taken from Charb’s book “Open letter to the crooks of Islamophobia who play into the hands of the racists” was performed on October 11, 2024 at the Théâtre de la Verrière in Lille and the debate which followed did not give rise to there was no controversy or excess but a calm exchange was able to take place. This is also the choice that was made in Gers and Toulouse with the support of the town hall, the regional council and the departmental council.
10 years after the massacre, 9 years after the Bataclan, 4 years after the assassination of Samuel Paty, 1 year after that of Dominique Bernard it is not possible in this associative place of cinema l’Univers in Lille to envisage that ‘a peaceful exchange can take place even if we have disagreements. (Which ones on this subject?)
Just a lack of courage?
Do local authorities have another place to offer us? ?
Sophie Taïeb – Referent for Hauts de France for Printemps Républicain.
Some argue that the Cinema l’Univers’ decision to deny hosting the commemoration event constitutes a form of censorship. Does this represent a dangerous precedent, and if so, what are the potential consequences for freedom of expression in France?
## A Conversation on Commemoration and Censorship
**Introduction:**
Welcome to World Today News. Today, we’re discussing a controversial decision by the Cinema l’Univers in Lille, France to deny hosting a commemoration event for the 10th anniversary of the Charlie Hebdo and Hyper Cacher massacres.
Our guests today are:
* **Sophie Taïeb:** Represents Printemps Républicain, the organization behind the commemoration event.
* **[Guest Name]:** Represents a perspective [choose a potential viewpoint: e.g., a free speech advocate, a representative from the Cinema l’Univers, a local government official, etc.].
**Thematic Sections:**
**Section 1: The Event and Its Purpose**
* **Interviewer:** Sophie, can you tell us more about the planned event and its significance in commemorating this somber anniversary?
* **Sophie Taïeb:** [Sophie explains the event’s format, who was involved, and why it was important to hold this commemoration].
* **Interviewer:** [Guest Name], what are your thoughts on the aim of this planned event and its relevance a decade after the tragic events?
**Section 2: The Denial and Justification**
* **Interviewer:** Sophie, can you walk us through the decision by the Cinema l’Univers to refuse hosting the event? What reasons were given?
* **Sophie Taïeb:** [Sophie explains the process of securing the space initially, the change in decision by the Cinema’s administrative board, and the stated reasoning for the refusal].
* **Interviewer:** [Guest Name], from your perspective, were the Cinema’s concerns about hosting this event legitimate? Did they adequately justify their decision?
**Section 3: Freedom of Expression and Censorship**
* **Interviewer:** Sophie, you mentioned the drawings by Charb being labeled “tendentious,” and even the organization Printemps Républicain being accused of having “controversial positions.” Why do you think there is an attempt to silence these voices and this commemoration?
* **Sophie Taïeb:** [Sophie discusses her interpretation of the silencing attempts, the connotations of labeling Charb’s drawings “tendentious,” and the potential impact on free speech].
* **Interviewer:** [Guest Name], how do you balance the need for respectful remembrance with the potential for controversy and discomfort surrounding such events? Is there a line that should not be crossed?
**Section 4: A Broader Conversation**
* **Interviewer:** This event isn’t isolated. It reflects wider conversations about freedom of expression, Islamophobia, and extremism in France. What message does this denial send about the state of these discussions today?
* **Sophie Taïeb:** [Sophie shares her views on the broader implications of this event and the current social climate in France].
* *Interviewer:* [Guest Name], your perspective please.
* **[Guest Name]:**
**Section 5: Moving Forward**
* **Interviewer:** Despite this setback, what are Printemps Républicain’s plans for commemorating this anniversary? Sophie, is there hope for finding an alternate space in Lille?
* **Sophie Taïeb:** [Sophie discusses their plans for alternative commemoration and the challenges they face].
* **Interviewer:** [Guest Name], how can we foster a more inclusive and productive dialogue around these sensitive issues?
**Closing Statements:**
* **Interviewer:** Thank you both for your insightful perspectives on this complex issue. We encourage our viewers to continue engaging in thoughtful conversations about freedom of expression, remembrance, and the challenges facing our society.
**Note:** Please remember to tailor the specific questions to suit the expertise and perspective of your chosen second guest.
