It is a sector representing more than 700,000 jobs in France, and which has suffered since the start of the coronavirus crisis. But the world of culture is finally pushing a "Phew" of relief, after Roselyne Bachelot's stated desire to reopen theaters and put an end to social distancing, imposing that one in two seats remains empty. Nothing has been done yet, but the Minister of Culture has promised to defend the demands of the profession.
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"People may be masked"
Since then, it is hope that dominates among those mainly concerned. "People may be masked, there will be hydroalcoholic gel, we will do everything to reassure people ... But we cannot continue to live in this anxiety-inducing fear, which is very bad for the psyche", estimates by example Stéphanie Bataille, director of the Antoine theater, in Paris, interviewed by Europe 1.
"If ever we are told that it is possible from a health point of view, we will go with the full gauges," adds Yves Bommenel, president of the current music union. "We should fall back on an economy that exists, that of the seated show."
Will the public follow?
"But on the other hand, it is not the majority of venues and as long as we cannot resume standing concerts, we will be in a precarious economy," he warns, however. There remains also a question, while the threat of a second epidemic wave looms: will the public follow?