As France prepares to slash its budget for culture, Jonny Walfisz compares how the cuts line up with arts spending across continental Europe and the UK.
Earlier this year, President Emmanuel Macron brought in huge budget cuts to curb France’s exorbitant spending. In February, €10 billion in cuts were announced, in addition to a €16 billion drop in spending that the 2024 budget had already accounted for. While much of the budget cuts have been aimed – controversially – at environmental and medical transport, one of the key areas facing cuts is also the culture sector.
Economy minister Bruno Le Maire has announced that France’s culture sector will have its annual budget slashed by €204 million, with the main area to be cut in “artistic creation”. It’s a decision that has been harshly criticised already by big names in the industry. Ludovic Nicot, a second violinist who took to the stage at the French classical musical awards in March, accused Macron of “sacrificing culture … sacrificing music.”
Nicot took aim at an audience that included the country’s culture minister, Rachida Dati, saying: “The first victim is the public. Fewer concerts, fewer operas, fewer artists. We have to put an end to this erosion.” Dati, the newly chosen culture minister, was brought in at the beginning of this year. She replaced Rima Abdul Malak, who oversaw France’s culture budget increase during her two-year tenure...Keep reading on Euronews.
Earlier this year, President Emmanuel Macron brought in huge budget cuts to curb France’s exorbitant spending. In February, €10 billion in cuts were announced, in addition to a €16 billion drop in spending that the 2024 budget had already accounted for. While much of the budget cuts have been aimed – controversially – at environmental and medical transport, one of the key areas facing cuts is also the culture sector.
Economy minister Bruno Le Maire has announced that France’s culture sector will have its annual budget slashed by €204 million, with the main area to be cut in “artistic creation”. It’s a decision that has been harshly criticised already by big names in the industry. Ludovic Nicot, a second violinist who took to the stage at the French classical musical awards in March, accused Macron of “sacrificing culture … sacrificing music.”
Nicot took aim at an audience that included the country’s culture minister, Rachida Dati, saying: “The first victim is the public. Fewer concerts, fewer operas, fewer artists. We have to put an end to this erosion.” Dati, the newly chosen culture minister, was brought in at the beginning of this year. She replaced Rima Abdul Malak, who oversaw France’s culture budget increase during her two-year tenure...Keep reading on Euronews.