“The consequences of this announcement, for us, are quite catastrophic“. The words are those of Isabelle Bertolotti, director of the Biennale d’art contemporain de Lyon. The event is due to start on September 14 but the organization will have to give up part of its program.
In question: the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, led by the Republican Laurent Wauquiez, has decided not to renew part of its subsidies to cultural places and events in the city of Lyon. The region argues a “rebalancing towards territories where the cultural offer is less important than in the major cities of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes“.
The region adds that it wants “promote initiatives and projects with residents living far from major cultural institutions“, evoking “festivals supported by small associations“.
For example, the Biennial of Contemporary Art therefore finds itself with a hole of 253,000 euros in its budget. “It is the share of the region that has been reduced by almost a third, a few weeks before the opening“, laments Isabelle Bertolotti on franceinfo. All artist selections are made, as are productions. We have to find a solution that we don’t have.“
The indignation is also relayed politically by the opposition. Pascale Bonniel Chalier, EELV regional councilor, and member of the Culture commission: “I would like to understand that these budgets will be distributed among other structures. For the moment, we don’t have more means for other independent structures, for structures in rural territories or city policy.“
“There is no other reason than to attack the municipal majorities of the left or environmentalists”
Pascale Bonniel-Chalier, EELV regional councilorat franceinfo
The severe and brutal size in subsidies also concerns the Lyon Opera, the Villa Gillet, a structure dedicated to literature, the Lumière Institute for cinema, and others.
Lyon cultural actors deprived by the region of part of their subsidies: the report by Mathilde Imberty
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