Audrey Azoulay, Minister of Culture and Communication, received today Pierre Cohen on the occasion of the presentation of his report on the situation of festivals and on the relations between festivals and public partners.
Following a broad and informed consultation, the report, which has generated many contributions from researchers, elected officials and professionals in the sector, highlights the impact of festivals, both for the territories and for its cultural stakeholders. He considers that the virtues of experimentation, structuring and cooperation, which are the strength of these meetings, call for a collective work of co-construction that will strengthen their legitimacy.
In particular, the Minister considers that this report calls for better observation of the sector that will be made possible by the law on creative freedom, architecture and heritage, which has just been adopted by Parliament. On the sidelines of the Festival d'Avignon, she will discuss this week with local authorities, how to develop contractualisation tools aimed at a better recognition and comfort of festivals.
France is a land of festivals, with nearly 3,000 events each year. Summer festivals play a fundamental role in the local economy and tourism and create a strong social bond for the people who participate.
Following the attacks at the Bataclan last year, an emergency fund of 7 million euros was set up to help the organizers of shows. This fund, managed by the CNV, has just been doubled with support from the Ministry of Culture and Communication, bringing the amount allocated to 14 million euros.
The minister would like to point out that festivals are also women and men, artists and show technicians, who are committed to making them. The sustainability of the unemployment insurance system for these professions, which is the result of the agreement signed on April 28 between the professional organizations in the sector and which will be approved by the State this week, is a guarantee of the continuation of this dynamic.
The Minister would like to thank Pierre Cohen for his involvement in his mission.
The report is available on the MCC website: http://bit.ly/29uUIq9