Initially expected in February 2027, the play “Passport” by Alexis Michalik was canceled by the RN municipality of Castres. It will be rescheduled by the PS town hall of Lomme, near Lille, in order to “resist” “censorship”.
The Minister of Culture condemned this Tuesday, June 16, the “cancellation” of the play “Passport” by Alexis Michalik by the RN municipality of Castres, a show which will be programmed by the PS town hall of Lomme, near Lille, in order to “resist” the “censorship”.
“I condemn this cancellation of a show for the sole reason that its subject is not in line with the political choices of the mayor of Castres,” declared Catherine Pégard during the questions to the government session at the National Assembly.
“Freedom of artistic creation is protected by law”
Last week, its author and director, Alexis Michalik, denounced the announcement made to him by the town hall, passed into the hands of the RN in March, to deprogram his play, a story of the journey of exiles, initially expected in February 2027.
Mayor Florian Azéma felt that the piece, if “it is the promotion of illegal immigrants and (…) quite particular treatment of the police, obviously”, did not correspond “to what (he) had defended during the campaign”.
“I would like to recall that freedom of artistic creation is protected and enshrined at the national level by a law passed in 2016. It provides that the State and local authorities ensure respect for the freedom of artistic programming. It is a pillar of our democratic society”, underlined the minister, who was responding to a question from the deputy for Tarn Jean Terlier (Renaissance).
Rescheduling in Lomme in December
For its part, the town of Lomme offered Alexis Michalik on Tuesday to program his play on December 19.
“Neither the censorship of culture, nor the questioning of migrations, social policies or the strengthening of a state which could become radical tomorrow will set back” those who “build our democracy”, underlined the PS mayor of Lomme, Olivier Caremelle, in a press release.
Furthermore, the show could also be rescheduled in Tarn, according to the departmental council. It is “on track”, a spokesperson told AFP, affirming that it was “a very strong wish” of its president, Christophe Ramond (PS), while not being able to immediately specify the place or date of this new representation.
“Culture does not belong to elected officials. It is not a propaganda tool in the service of the power of the moment, it must remain a space of freedom,” said the elected official in a press release. “In a democracy, we respond to a work through debate, never through erasure.”
