INTERVIEW
More than four years after the attack of January 7, 2015, the writing of Charlie Hebdo came to meet his readers and the public Saturday in Strasbourg, for a first public appearance collective under very high surveillance. "It was really nice, very warm, we were very pleased to see that the people who had filled the Strasbourg Opera came to see us, to support us very warmly," said Saturday evening Europe 1 Gerard Biard , the editor-in-chief of Charlie Hebdo.
The newspaper team was greeted with loud applause and "bravos", with some of the audience at the Standing Rhine Opera. The meeting was immediately placed under the sign of the squeaky humor, with a drawing representing a loyal Mr. throwing: "And for the first time in one piece, the writing of Charlie Hebdo in Strasbourg!".
During this afternoon in Strasbourg, upstream of the World Forum for Democracy, round tables followed by exchanges with the public were organized, as well as live drawings and a book signing session with the weekly editorial staff. satirical almost complete, led by its director Riss. "Throughout the three round tables we could say what we wanted to say, the message we wanted to convey on the topics that were discussed", abounds Gerard Biard.
"A very important security device"
The doors of the Opera, where the event was held, opened two hours before the start of the meeting, the spectators having to submit to reinforced controls, palpations and searches of deep bags. The prefecture had also banned demonstrations around the Opera, while journalists and cartoonists "Charlie" were protected by agents of public security and the municipal police throughout their stay in Strasbourg.
"It was all the more important that to come to this debate, where we come to talk about democracy and freedom of expression, we are obliged to have a very consistent security while we are in France, in a democracy, "notes the editor-in-chief of Charlie Hebdo. He adds: "the fact that this debate should be under protection should be much more questionable in the media, among intellectuals and citizens."