Castres – 17.06.2026: The theater play “Passeport” by Alexis Michalik, which was originally planned for February 2027 in Castres, will now be performed in another municipality in the Tarn department in January 2027. The original performance was removed from the cultural program by Florian Azéma, mayor of Castres and member of the far-right Rassemblement National (RN). Azéma justified the cancellation with the political orientation of the play, which deals with the journey of an Eritrean refugee in the “jungle” of Calais.
Christophe Ramond, President of the Tarn Department Council and member of the Socialist Party, criticized the decision as purely ideologically motivated and warned against restricting cultural diversity. He made it clear: “A strong democracy does not need to fear works that question their time.” In response to the cancellation, Ramond initiated talks to present “Passeport” in another municipality within the department — a sign of protecting artistic freedom.
The play tells the story of Issa, a young Eritrean refugee who loses his memory upon arrival in the Calais “jungle.” Equipped only with a passport as orientation, Issa embarks on a search for his identity and a residence permit. The work deals intensively with themes of exile, identity, and integration in Europe.
Ramond emphasizes that the performance in Tarn is more than just a cultural event: “It is a necessity to defend the independence of the art scene and cultural freedom.” His initiative has met broad resonance in the cultural scene and among advocates of an open society, but stands in clear contradiction to the political views of the Rassemblement National.
The case illustrates the tensions between local political actors and the cultural scene regarding the selection of public performances. It reflects ongoing debates about artistic freedom, the influence of politics on cultural content, and society’s responsibility to openly discuss controversial topics such as flight and migration.
The rescheduling of “Passeport” in Tarn is therefore also seen as a political statement. It emphasizes the importance of cultural plurality and critical reflection, especially at a time when culture is increasingly politicized. Ramond himself compared the treatment of the play to measures from “the darkest hours of our history” and called for more openness and tolerance for artistic expressions.
The January 2027 project in Tarn thus highlights the relevance of cultural participation as a foundation of democratic societies and the necessity to give artistic voices space, even when they address societal challenges. “Passeport” becomes a symbol of the fight against censorship and the protection of artistic freedom in France.
Sources
- franceinfo