Castres – 06/09/2026: The renowned French theater director Alexis Michalik has publicly criticized the decision by the city administration of Castres to cancel his play “Passeport.” “Passeport” tells the story of an Eritrean migrant abandoned in the Calais jungle. The cancellation followed the municipal elections in March 2026, in which the far-right party Rassemblement National (RN) took control of Castres.
The RN won the municipal elections in Castres with 29.85% of the vote, leading to a historic political change in the city. Florian Azéma, the RN candidate, was elected mayor and implemented his political priorities.
The decision to cancel “Passeport” was made by the new city administration, which is reviewing cultural programs. This measure is part of a broader plan that also involved reassessing projects such as the expansion of the Gourjade golf course and the management of the La Borde Basse equestrian center.
Alexis Michalik expressed disappointment over the cancellation and emphasized the importance of art and culture for society. He criticized the decision as politically motivated and as an attempt to remove certain topics from public discourse. “Passeport” addresses the difficult conditions of migrants and raises questions about European migration policy.
The cancellation of “Passeport” in Castres is not the first incident of this kind. In other RN-led municipalities, similar decisions have been made where cultural events and programs that did not align with the party’s political line were canceled or reassessed.
The decision by the Castres city administration has sparked widespread public discussion. Critics accuse the RN of restricting cultural diversity and artistic freedom. Supporters of the party argue that such measures are necessary to protect local culture and preserve the city’s identity.
The debate over the cancellation of “Passeport” reflects larger political tensions caused by the rise of the Rassemblement National in various parts of France. The party has made significant advances in recent years and taken power in several municipalities.
The future of “Passeport” remains uncertain. Michalik has announced plans to seek alternative performance opportunities in order to continue making the play accessible to a wide audience. However, the discussion about the cancellation in Castres could have long-term effects on the cultural landscape in RN-led municipalities.
The events in Castres raise questions about the role of culture in politics and the significance of artistic freedom in a democratic society. They emphasize the need to have a dialogue about balancing political control and cultural diversity.
Sources
- Franceinfo