Occupants of the Théâtre de l'Odéon in Paris keep up the pressure to save culture
Audio 01:13
Artists and professionals from the world of culture during the occupation of the Théâtre de l'Odéon, in Paris, on March 12, 2021. REUTERS - Benoit Tessier
Text by: RFI Follow
5 mins
At least 26 theaters and performance halls are currently occupied in France, with cultural professionals and amateurs calling for the reopening of cultural venues.
At the Parisian Odeon theater, the first to be invested on March 4, around forty people sleep and eat in this listed building from the 18th century.
To make the operation last, they rely on logistics
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With our special correspondent at the Théâtre de l'Odéon,
Matthieu Bonhoure
At the Théâtre de l'Odéon, you go through a door after passing the gate, where you will find
the foyer of the occupation
, among the columns and old chandeliers.
“
The first nights, let's say it was spartan
, says Bruno, who took a two-day break and has just come back.
And there, I am more organized, with a sleeping bag, two or three boxers to change underwear and then there it is.
"
The occupants organize themselves by commissions so that the occupation takes place in good conditions.
Salomé is one of the people in charge of the logistics pole: “
There are a lot of people who support the movement and who want to participate from outside.
So they offer their help to cook as well as to go shopping, or even wash clothes
.
"
When she collects food deliveries, the products are varied: “
jam, cereals, milk, chocolate, there are also some who bring us homemade cakes.
"
The watchword is adaptation.
On tables on the other side of the foyer we find "
bandages, masks, alcohol, toothpaste, toothbrushes, handkerchiefs ...
", continues another occupant.
Another problem: occupants must ensure that the doors inside are not closed by security.
"
The shower, we keep it, because we only have one and if we lose it, it's a bit complicated
", summarizes this activist.
Between the walls, the occupants meet to discuss the organization of the days to come.
Living conditions are improving
, even if the sleeping arrangements remain rudimentary.
♦ New theaters, operas and musical stages join the movement
From Lille to Lyon via Limoges, Rennes and Saint-Étienne, new theaters, operas and musical stages joined the movement to occupy cultural places on Friday March 12.
The movement says it wants to put pressure on the government to obtain in particular the reopening of cultural venues, closed since October 30 due to the pandemic, and a new extension, beyond August, of the rights of intermittent entertainment workers.
And they intend to stay and maintain the pressure: as long as they do not obtain their demands, there is no question for them to end the occupations.
Wednesday March 10, the Minister of Culture Roselyne Bachelot had judged "
unnecessary
" and "
dangerous
" these occupations.
The next day,
however
,
the government released an additional 20 million euros
in support of the world of culture.
►
To read also: Caesar 2021: a very political ceremony, two black actors best hopes
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