On March 5, the Arsenal Jean-Marie Rausch resonated with the debate “Let’s talk about culture”, organized by the Collectif du spectacle vivant messin. Alicia Hiblot and Gaël Calvez hosted the evening, opened by Patrick Till, president of the Citée musicale-Metz, who is not a candidate in the election. The Collectif presented its report: 39 structures, 176 annual jobs, 2,500 performances over three years, but a bitter reality – less than 5% of the municipal cultural budget allocated to live performances, funding decreasing by 20% since 2019, unequal access to venues. The demand: a collaborative discussion starting from the next term, with the creation of a “house of artists” shared space.
Eight speakers took turns according to a random order. Each responded in one minute to cultural priorities, then the discussion focused on budgets, freedom of creation, before a final round of projects and a dense exchange with the public. In the midst of the national municipal campaign of 2026 (elections on March 15 and 22), this debate in Metz also illustrated the local challenges of a cultural sector weakened by national austerity.
Candidates for the 2026 municipal elections in Metz and their flagship projects: – Gaël Diaferia (NPA-Revolutionaries, “Metz worker and revolutionary”): Direct democracy, workers in the cultural sector should decide by mobilization. Proposed to eliminate the Miss Mirabelle pageant by 2026 and called for a march on March 8. – Bertrand Mertz (PS, “A fresh breath for Metz”): A pact of trust, +1 million euros for associative grants, return to 2019 agreement levels, co-built cultural plan, revival of BLIIIDA as an artists’ hub. Highlight project: a large modern media library, possibly on rue Serpenoise, and dedicating basilica Saint-Vincent to exhibitions. – Charlotte Leduc (LFI, “Metz in Common”): Called for a conference on live performances, budget rebalancing, secure triennial agreements, involvement of Metz Métropole. Proposed concrete measures: temporary housing through social landlords, free transportation, renovation of storage spaces, training for intermittent workers. Culture for LFI “remains an anti-fascist stronghold.” – Ludovic Mendes (Renaissance, “Metz together”): Advocated for a festival of live arts in Metz, valorization of the Porte des Allemands sector, with residencies, optimized use of existing spaces (BAM, Agora), and private agreements for rehearsals. Emphasized the role of MJC and neighborhood culture, “against ignorance.” – Philippe Brunella (for François Grosdidier, “I love Metz”): Emphasized stability in the face of funding cuts: preservation of resources, multi-annual agreements. Highlighted that basilica Saint-Vincent has hosted Constellations and concerts, with continued subsidies to the Centre Pompidou-Metz and the National Orchestra. Defended Mirabelle Queen as “popular heritage.” – Oriane Dermy (Lutte Ouvrière, “The workers’ camp”): Refused to “manage capitalism” (culturally): revolutionary program (ban on layoffs, worker control), requisition of unused housing for culture, criticism of shareholders and war.
(Budgets: austerity versus investment promises) The cultural budget of Metz (24.9 million euros) has ignited tensions: 14 million euros are allocated to salaries and investments, while 11 million euros go to major facilities. Associations receive only 2.4% (~600,000 euros). Bertrand Mertz promised +1 million euros and multi-annual agreements; Charlotte Leduc and Jeremy Roques aimed to rebalance towards live performances; Ludovic Mendes seeks additional funds (private, Metz Métropole). NPA and LO candidates criticized national austerity (53 billion euros in cuts), contrasting military and social budgets. Philippe Brunella defended stability, while Anstett advocated for creation and public subsidies.
(Cultural freedom of creation: apparent consensus, lines of fracture) A point of agreement emerged on the 2016 law (freedom of creation and distribution): threats from financial pressures (Jardin du Michel/Sniper, Cabaret Vert/pro-Palestinian) or physical (cancellation of Bilal Hassani in 2023 under far-right threats). Roques accused Grosdidier of voting against Jardin du Michel in the region; Leduc and Mendes called for a rescheduling of Hassani at Saint-Pierre-aux-Nonnains. Etienne Anstett accepted freedom but rejected public funds for certain artists.
(The public decides: neighborhoods, alternatives, re-employment) The final exchange (less than 45 minutes) was more agitated. Practical questions arose: funding for investments, alternative spaces, administrative closures, reuse of materials. Question posed: “Is culture a commodity?” Various answers: no (Mertz, Leduc, Mendes), except under capitalism (Dermy, Diaferia); “humanly profitable” (Brunella).
(Metz culture: a laboratory for the 2026 municipal elections) This debate on March 5, in the midst of the national campaign for the 2026 municipal elections, highlighted a familiar framework in Metz: a major cultural city (Philharmonie, Pompidou, festivals), but sometimes divided between center and periphery, institutions and alternatives, stability and audacity. Listen on RCF.
