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La Pigette: A Humorous Take on Local News in L’Arbresle
Rather than distributing its humorous publication in Arbreloise mailboxes, the team behind the satirical newspaper La Pigette has transitioned to sharing their witty observations on Facebook.
La Pigette, crafted by a group of enthusiastic forty-somethings, aims to provide a humorous commentary on the happenings in the Pays de L’Arbresle. They initially circulated a monthly “cabbage leaf” in mailboxes, an A4 folded in three, designed and printed by the team.
“We wanted to bring a little humor to this city.”
The adventure of La Pigette began in 2020 during the municipal elections. “Part of the team moved to L’Arbresle in 2019, and nothing was happening. We sought to add a touch of humor to this charming town,” explain the main editors, identified by the initials B, F, and A. Over two and a half years, they tackled key issues in L’Arbresle, such as the bypass and the local hospital, as well as the everyday quirks of life in the area. However, they paused their print distribution in 2022. “Initially, we hoped that the town hall would engage with us, but that was not the case,” they share. Although they didn’t receive overt backlash, the elected officials were not fond of their publications, and as the local news cycle slowed, it became challenging to generate content. They were all volunteers who handled writing, printing, and distribution, which proved to be a substantial workload with minimal returns.
New Beginnings on Social Media
Despite the challenges, the editors decided to explore new formats and timelines. “The project is still in development,” they note. “We want to reinstate La Pigette in paper format or perhaps a different style. However, some of the news is just too funny or absurd to ignore.” Now, they’ve taken to Facebook to share their insights and observations. Their content sources mainly include market visits and local gossip. “We keep updated through local newspapers and Facebook pages, plus we have a few insiders at the town hall,” they reveal.
Future Plans and Community Focus
This academic year, the La Pigette team is considering expanding their scope to nearby towns. “We still need more information; visiting local markets could provide insights,” they say. “We aim to promote the businesses in the city center, as closing shops will not attract visitors.” They emphasize the importance of communication about local commerce, from shops to bars, highlighting the surprising number of opticians in the area. “The town hall should really focus on not removing posters from private windows. If shops are shutting down, it signals a deeper issue that needs addressing.”
La Pigette is also set to cover significant news, including the relocation of the community of communes. “We’ve heard rumors that elected officials will even have private jacuzzis in the new facilities,” they conclude with a grin.
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a. Their unique brand of humor reflects the community's culture while poking fun at the peculiarities that come with small-town life.
"It's all in good fun," they assure. "We want people to laugh, think, and perhaps even engage more with their surroundings." The decision to move their publication online stems from a desire to reach a wider audience and adapt to changing reading habits.
With their Facebook page, La Pigette now has the opportunity to interact more directly with their readers. They encourage locals to share their own humorous stories and observations, fostering a sense of community and connection.
The team expresses gratitude for the support they've received from the residents of L'Arbresle. "We never expected such a positive response. It's reassuring to know that our humor resonates with so many people," they say.
As they continue to develop their online presence, La Pigette aspires to bring more satire, jokes, and cheerful commentary to the foreground of local news. "The beauty of a small town like L'Arbresle is that there's always something to laugh about, and we're here to share those laughs with everyone."
With their witty takes and playful spirit, La Pigette is set to become a beloved fixture in L'Arbresle, unearthing the joy in everyday situations and perhaps even inspiring other towns to embrace a little humor.
