Castres – 14.06.2026: The decision by the city administration of Castres to cancel the theater performance of Alexis Michalik’s play “Passeport,” scheduled for February 2027, has caused significant controversy. Alexis Michalik, author and director of the play, condemned the move as an “attack on artistic freedom” and described it as an “ideologically motivated decision.” He warned against a restriction of the independence of culture and art through political intervention.
The mayor of Castres, Florian Azéma, a member of the right-wing populist party Rassemblement National (RN), who was elected in March 2026, defended the cancellation. According to her, the city administration is within its rights to review cultural programming and adjust it according to the political guidelines of the new majority faction. She explained that the play “Passeport” does not comply with the city’s obligations, and public funds should not be used for “such a politically charged production.”
“Passeport” tells the story of Issa, a young migrant from Eritrea living on the fringes of the so-called “Jungle of Calais,” desperately trying to obtain a residence permit in France. Since its premiere in January 2024, the play has been performed more than 750 times in Paris and shown in nearly 80 other French cities. It is considered an important work addressing themes of flight, migration, and human destinies.
The cancellation has sparked nationwide debates about the role of politics in cultural promotion. Opponents of the RN decision accuse the new leadership in Castres of curbing cultural diversity and politically instrumentalizing the freedom and diversity of art. Alexis Michalik himself speaks of an “ideological selection” and calls for a clear separation of culture and political influence.
The dispute raises fundamental questions about cultural policy in France, especially concerning public funding and political control over cultural content. Within the French cultural scene, concern is growing about the independence of theater and other art forms in light of a political climate that increasingly applies ideological standards.
European voices have also intervened: Aleksandar Nikolic, RN Member of the European Parliament, stated in an interview that taxpayers’ money from Castres residents should not be used for works representing “total ideological positions.” This statement was sharply criticized in artistic and political circles and seen as an attempt to politically appropriate art and culture.
How the situation will develop further and whether other municipalities in France will make similar decisions remains open. What is certain is that this controversy has reignited the debate about artistic freedom and the limits of political influence in the cultural sector.