2023-11-17 15:28:00
The government of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation validated this Friday the renewal of subsidies granted to cultural actors operating in the performing arts. “A fair balance has been found, serving existing cultural operators and renewal, and for the benefit of the public throughout Wallonia and Brussels as well as artistic and technical employment,” states the press release from Minister Bénédicte Liénard.
To find out more regarding the choices made by the Wallonia-Brussels Federation in terms of subsidies for the performing arts
In total, 542 requests were submitted, an increase of 80% compared to 2018 (what is called a 5-year course program contract) but only 436 operators were selected, including 200 new ones. There are therefore some teeth gnashing, even among those who benefit from a renewed grant. This is the case with the Francofolies de Spa where the blow is tough, confesses Yoann Frédéric, the director of the festival. “It’s quite severe. We are experiencing a reduction of more than 50% in the subsidy compared to what we received last year (it goes from 338,230 euros in 2024 to 175,000 euros in the new version, Editor’s note). This decision by the minister is a hard blow. We take note of this since it is a sovereign decision of the government of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation and Minister Liénard. But we also note that the minister has obviously not been sufficiently sensitive to the cultural project that we have been carrying out for almost 30 years and which we still wish to carry out. Namely: maximum exposure for artists from the Wallonia-Brussels Federation. Every year, this is a credo of the festival. There is also a series of actions that we are carrying out to make music as accessible as possible, with concerts for young audiences at low prices, an offer of free concerts which allows everyone to enjoy moments of music… This project clearly did not resonate sufficiently with the minister and she chose to make a decision straight to the point. “
Did you expect such a decision?
”I expected a decrease. When we have one of the highest subsidies, we tend to imagine going down. But we find that compared to the project that we have been carrying out for 30 years, it is severe. I also read that the minister preferred to favor festivals which are not purely commercial and which give pride of place to Belgian artists. There was a specific project to do this but she was not sufficiently sensitive to it. We are an independent non-profit organization. There is no billionaire group behind the Francos, nor any investment fund.”
Does this decision jeopardize the future of the Francos of Spa?
”All my colleagues in the sector will tell you: a festival is always a very difficult economic model to balance. In the long term, it will put us in difficulty, that’s for sure. This will raise questions regarding the offer, the presence and exposure of Belgian artists, the necessary investments and the free offer. This will not be without consequences on the cultural project that we carry. However, it is too early to sound the alarm. I wouldn’t say that the festival is in danger, far from it, but that doesn’t make the work easier, which is already complicated by the competitive economic context in which we operate. We are not the only ones affected by a decrease. The whole sector is asking questions.”
Is there no possible appeal once morest the decision?
”It seems that there is a meeting clause which would allow, at a given moment, to be able to discuss with the general administration of Culture for certain re-evaluations. Beyond that, we really have no choice but to take note. It’s the minister’s decision, it’s democracy.”
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