Paris (AFP)
Four comic book authors who sponsored the Year of Comics of the Ministry of Culture announced on Saturday their collective resignation to protest against the closure of bookstores.
"We have decided, faced with the inconsistency and contradictions of political choices with regard to the culture and professions of the book in this time of pandemic, to resign immediately from this responsibility", write the authors in a joint press release.
They are Florence Cestac ("Harry Mickson", "Fille des oiseaux"), Catherine Meurisse ("Moderne Olympia", "Les Grands Espaces"), Régis Loisel ("Peter Pan", "General Store") and Jul ("Silex and the City", "Lucky Luke").
The Year of the Comic Book 2020 had been extended by the Ministry of Culture until June 2021.
"This official event no longer resembles a masquerade emptied of its meaning, we will no longer take part in any responsibility in connection with these celebrations", write the four authors.
Calls for the opening of bookstores have multiplied since the announcement Wednesday evening by President Emmanuel Macron of a new containment against the progression of the Covid-19 epidemic.
These stores are not on the list of so-called "essential" businesses authorized by the government to remain open.
However, they can make deliveries or offer to pick up orders at the store door ("click and collect").
© 2020 AFP