The minister, however, said she expected "a" beautiful festival season ", ensuring that she would continue" to help all those who need it ".

In total, nearly 14 billion euros have been mobilized for the world of culture in France since the start of the health crisis, according to new figures from the ministry.

"Everyone recognizes that there is not a country that has done as much as France to save its culture", assured Ms. Bachelot on the program "Les Enfants de la République" broadcast on Sunday on Radio J.

The artists are “tired, anxious but do not come out washed out” from the crisis.

However, she nuances, "I'm not optimistic at all costs (...) I know that in the cinema, it's still 25% drop in attendance, in the performing arts also" at the start of the year, compared to the same period before the crisis linked to Covid-19.

This figure varies between 20 and 25% depending on the rooms, compared to the same time in 2019, the ministry said.

The live performance in particular is witnessing a "phenomenon of bipolarization" according to her: "there are shows that work", with full rooms, and others where the public is not there.

Restrictions have started to be lifted, such as the maximum capacity for seated audiences set at 2,000 people which ended on February 2 and will be followed by the return of standing concerts on February 16.

"There are programming problems because standing concerts are generally international tours. Standing concerts will have a harder time getting back to normal than classical concerts," said Ms. Bachelot.

According to the minister, the world of culture is “faced with both” an extremely harsh pandemic and (…) the great digital wind, the appearance of the metaverse.

It's extremely violent, this double anguish."

In addition, the Minister clarified that the painting "Rosiers under the trees" by Gustav Klimt was "recently returned" to its heirs.

On January 25, the National Assembly unanimously adopted a law to return 15 works of art, including a painting by Klimt and one by Marc Chagall, to the heirs of Jewish families robbed by the Nazis.

Asked about Eric Zemmour's attempt "to rehabilitate Pétain, the so-called savior of French Jews", Ms. Bachelot affirmed that the presidential candidate "was no longer in the Republican principles".

© 2022 AFP