2024-03-16 12:35:01
– A criticized “anti-globalization” bookstore cancels its opening
This bookstore close to the extreme right is located in an office in the Carouge shopping center. Its inauguration was finally canceled at the request of the management.
Published today at 1:35 p.m.
The bookstore should have been inaugurated this Saturday, in an office in the Carouge Shopping Center, on avenue Cardinal-Mermillod.
LAURENT GUIRAUD
In recent days, the announcement of the opening of the Sparta bookstore, “anti-globalist” and close to the far right, has sparked controversy. Installed in an office in the Carouge shopping center, the place should be inaugurated this Saturday morning. News relayed by the small nationalist and far-right group Resistance Helvetique, revealed “Le Temps”.
On its website, the Sparte association announces “to fight through books against globalism seeking the disappearance of our cultures and our identities”. Its catalog of second-hand books is divided into several sections – economics, literature, health, history, subversion, philosophy, man/woman, among others. There we find in particular several works by the far-right and anti-Semitic ideologue Alain Soral, texts by the Pétainist Charles Maurras and even Maurice Bardèche, author of a founding work of negationism presenting the concentration camps as a “falsification of ‘history’, notes ‘Le Courrier’.
In the columns of “Temps”, a member of Sparta defended himself from any association with the extreme right, arguing that the “politics and doctrine” category of the bookstore “is interested in the movements which have emerged in Europe”.
“Hate Promotion Showcase”
The announcement of this opening triggered a wave of concern, among the Carouge authorities and associations. “We can always invoke a critical study of these readings, but the fact remains that we are entitled to question the people who will be interested in purchasing such works,” reacts Carole Fumeaux, secretary General of Licra-Geneva. Above all, the website of this association seems to have a very essentialist vision of culture which can lead to racist excesses and discrimination.
The Intercommunity Coordination against Anti-Semitism and Defamation (CICAD) is also alarmed. “The opening of such a bookseller, which we had heard about for several months, is part of a broader context of the rise of extremism,” denounces Johanne Gurfinkiel, its secretary general. This place will offer a showcase for works that are completely indigestible and promote hatred. Already well-known authors and texts which are the subject of attacks in court.”
According to him, such a place will also allow “the installation of a platform for bringing together conspiracy and denialist actors and activists. The illustration of the ideal place for the few activists of the racist and anti-Semitic cause. In an already heavy climate, all we were missing was this bookstore.”
Finally, on Thursday, an action took place in front of the shopping center, during which members of the Action antifasciste Genève collective distributed leaflets.
In this tense context, the Sparta association finally announced Friday afternoon that the inauguration was canceled. On her site, she writes that this decision follows “pressure from “anti-fascists” for the risk of disturbances to public order (on their part). […] We accept the management’s request to cancel the event.” And to conclude by asking that no one comes to the premises. This Saturday morning, the order seems to have been respected, to the point that there is no trace of the bookstore supposed to be installed in the office area.
Possible early termination of the lease
On Friday, the Wincasa management company, in charge of the Carouge Shopping Center, indicated that it was examining the facts and did not comment further on the situation, while specifying that it is another management company, Projekt Interim, which takes care of subletting. of “office” space.
This company is now studying the possibilities of early termination of the lease, according to “Le Temps”, which cites the lawyers of Projekt Interim, Me Nicolas Capt and Me Anne-Laure Bandle. They ensure that the management had in no way been informed of the nature of the activity carried out in the premises nor of the political ideas of the Sparte bookstore. “This is not part of the checks undertaken prior to the conclusion of a lease contract.”
Aurélie Toninato has been a journalist in the Geneva section since 2010 and a graduate of the Academy of Journalism and Media. After covering the field of Education, she is now mainly responsible for issues related to Health.More info
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