President of the Unique Occitanie Culture Agency, which helps book professionals to set up and sustain their activity, Jérôme Sion recalls that this cultural aspect occupies a special place in our region. But he is suffering.
What is the Unique Occitanie Culture Agency that you chair?
Previously, there were three regional cultural agencies for books, cinema and performing arts. They have been grouped into one to better work on the disciplines in a transversal way, to have more impact in response to needs. We address cultural professionals in support of creation. There was also behind this a desire to rationalize in response to cuts in state funding. We have pooled support services to deploy more resources to support and seek funding. We are two-thirds funded by the Occitanie Region and one-third by the State via the Regional Directorate of Cultural Affairs (DRAC). We also produce figures that will be used by professionals and politicians to inform their choices.
What is the situation of books in Occitania?
We had an improvement around the book during the covid period, followed by a little balancing. We are once again in a decline which is felt more strongly in the region. We have 245 publishers, 278 independent bookstores. These are significant figures compared to other regions. This testifies to a great diversity of offer and economic models, a wealth that must be maintained at a time when the noose is tightening with a hegemonic desire of some over the sector.
“The sector contract provides a certain amount of assistance”
How can we help structures in difficulty?
We already support creations and covers. A certain number of aids fall into what is called the sector contract, for work, for computerization, to diversify… We also provide legal advice to booksellers and publishers. The “Les chose de la vie” bookstore, in Frontignan, is located in a cinema. It is an innovative model that creates a network.
The sector is going through a crisis that is temporary or deep, structural?
Studies show that people are reading less and less and that young people in particular are dropping out. It is a major challenge to rework on this even if we do not work directly with the public. Another challenge is to maintain editorial diversity which is very attacked, including by a single thought conveyed on social networks. The attacks are violent and this is an important issue.
At the same time, the number of authors is increasing. A paradox?
No, because writing time is a solitary time that more and more people want to allow themselves to take a step back. It’s very positive. But we must recognize that very few authors can make a living from their pen. Support for creation is therefore essential for the values defended by the Region and Carole Delga.
