Key facts
- Far-right mayor Florian Azéma canceled a performance of Alexis Michalik's play 'Passeport' in Castres, France.
- Azéma described the play as political propaganda and a promotion of illegal immigrants.
- Playwright Alexis Michalik defended the play as a human story addressing exile and identity.
- The cancellation has led to protests and accusations of cultural censorship by the National Rally (RN).
- French Culture Minister Catherine Pégard stated that freedom of artistic expression is protected by law.
Florian Azéma, the recently elected far-right mayor of Castres in south-east France, has canceled a scheduled performance of Alexis Michalik's play 'Passeport' in 2027. Azéma dismissed the play, which addresses themes of exile and identity through the story of a young man from a Calais refugee camp, as political propaganda unsuitable for the town's cultural program.
The decision has ignited outrage and protests, with critics accusing the far-right National Rally (RN) of engaging in cultural censorship. Michalik stated that the cancellation serves as a warning of potential broader restrictions on creative freedom if the RN gains more political power. He emphasized that artistic expression and cultural independence are fundamental to democracy, asserting that people should have the right to see and judge plays for themselves.
Azéma attempted to justify his decision by claiming the play promoted illegal immigrants and depicted the police in a questionable manner, stating it did not align with his campaign promises. French Culture Minister Catherine Pégard addressed the controversy, reminding that freedom of artistic expression is legally protected in France. Michalik, a multi-award-winning playwright, expressed sadness over the cancellation, drawing parallels to cultural debates in the US and highlighting his vision of a multicultural France where different populations can coexist.