France moves to bolster cultural venues, cinemas following terrorist attacks

The French government is moving to bolster cultural venues and cinemas across the country following last week’s terrorist attacks in Paris, with Culture Minister Fleur Pellerin saying that at least 4 million euros, or about $4.3 million, have been allocated toward a “solidarity fund.”

Her initiative comes after museums, concert halls, movie theaters and other cultural spaces have reopened their doors to the public following last week’s massacre in the French capital, which included an attack at the Bataclan concert hall, a popular space for live music events.

Of the 129 people killed on Nov. 13 in Paris, at least 80 people are believed to have died at the Bataclan, which was hosting a concert by the Southern California band Eagles of Death Metal.

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In a speech this week to the French National Assembly, Pellerin said the terrorists have “attacked the soul of France -- its culture, its way of life, its diversity.” She said that the music world is “in mourning and weeps for its dead.”

Pellerin, whose full title is minister of culture and communication, announced two priorities regarding the cultural sector, with the first being the implementation of measures to ensure the security of the public and workers at museums and performance halls.

This will include a visible reinforcement of security, she said.

Pellerin also announced the creation of the “solidarity fund” that will include 3.5 million euros from the government plus 500,000 euros from Sacem, an organization devoted to the music industry.

“It’s just a start,” she said, adding that she hopes other contributions will add to the fund. The money is expected to help performance halls cope with cancellations, expected declines in business and other financial hardships in the wake of the attacks.

In addition, Pellerin said she is in talks with cinema owners on the subject of stepping up security. She said she wants expenses for security equipment to be eligible for aid from the Centre National du Cinéma et de L’image Animée, the government body dedicated to the movie industry.

She concluded her speech by saying that “our culture will remain proud, subversive and free.”

Prior to Pellerin’s address, Assembly member Gilda Hobert said live performances in France bring in billions of euros and account for about 260,000 locally grown jobs.

Pellerin has kept a highly visible media profile in the days following the attacks and has used Twitter to encourage the public to attend cultural events.

On Thursday evening, Pellerin was in the audience of “Résiste,” a musical production running at the Palais des Sports in Paris through Jan. 3.

Twitter: @DavidNgLAT