Minister of Culture Catherine Pgard condemns the cancellation of the play "Passport" in Castres, rescheduled in the North

The Minister of Culture Catherine Pégard to condemn, Tuesday 16 June, “cancellation” from the theater square Passport of Alexis Michalik by the municipality RN of Castres, a show that will be programmed by the town hall PS of Lomme, near Lille, in order to “résister” à la “censure”.

On June 9, 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.

“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.”

Catherine Pégard, Minister of Culture

Question session to the government at the National Assembly

Mayor Florian Azéma estimated that the piece, if “it’s the promotion of illegal immigrants and (…) quite particular treatment from the police, obviously”, did not fit “what (he) had defended during the campaign”.

“I would like to remind you 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 society democratic”, underlined the minister, who was responding to a question from the deputy for Tarn Jean Terlier (Renaissance).

For its part, the town of Lomme proposed, on Tuesday June 16, to Alexis Michalik 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 are building our democracy.”

Olivier Caremelle, PS mayor of Lomme

Communiqué

Furthermore, the show could also be rescheduled in Tarn, according to the departmental council. It is “on track”indicated a spokesperson, affirming that it was a question of“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”, estimated Christophe Ramond in a press release. “In a democracy, we respond to a work through debate, never through erasure.”