While last Saturday took place the funeral of Valery Giscard d’Estaing, let’s go back to his heritage in terms of cultural policy.
The record of its cultural policy is very poor. Let’s look at the figures: when Valéry Giscard d’Estaing came to power in 1974, culture represented 0.64% of the state budget. At the end of his seven-year term in 1981, the share was only 0,47%. It is therefore a clear reduction in the resources allocated to Culture.
Not to mention a most symbolic measure: Valery Giscard d’Estaing has chosen to relegate the Ministry of Cultural Affairs to a simple secretary of state. So, very clearly, between on the one hand Georges Pompidou, passionate about the arts, and on the other François Mitterrand who will double the budget for culture as soon as he comes to power, Valery Giscard d’Estaing represents for this sector a little parenthesis. exciting.
Was he defending particular areas of culture?
It actually fitted perfectly into the DNA of the classical right, that is to say the defense of heritage more than creation. It was during his seven-year term that the Orsay Museum, devoted to Impressionism. It will also set up a system to help the Palace of Versailles, the museums of Fontainebleau or that of Compiègne. Cultural charters will also be launched, anticipating future pacts with communities. The principle is that the state invests if the cities and regions do so too. But overall, his cultural policy reflects above all his liberal convictions, that is to say limit state intervention as much as possible.
And what about music?
Note that the Ensemble intercontemporain was created in 1976 under Giscard d’Estaing. But this was mainly due to the link between the secretary of state at the time, Michel Guy and Pierre Boulez. In terms of music, the former president preferred the accordion and more popular or at least more classical music. Finally, it should be remembered that the one who allowed the completion of the Center Pompidou at the start of Giscard d’Estaing’s seven-year term was none other than its Prime Minister, Jacques Chirac. The two old enemies were also opposed in cultural matters.
–
