The Lucernaire

One of the coolest places in Paris, the Lucernaire Forum (53, avenue Notre-Dame-des-Champs, in the 6e arrondissement) has been given the government subvention it needs to stay afloat, according to an article (Une victoire pour le Lucernaire, November 21) in Le Figaro:

Christian Le Guillochet, founder and director of the Lucernaire, yesterday ended the hunger strike he had undertaken, worried about the future of this very important place in the Parisian cultural landscape. As the result of the cooperation of Bertrand Delanoë (Mayor of Paris), Christophe Girard (Cultural Adjunct for the City of Paris), Jean-Jacques Aillagon (Minister of Culture and Communication), Jean-François de Canchy (Director of Regional Cultural Affairs), and Christian Le Guillochet himself, the subventions awarded to the Lucernaire Theater will be awarded "through June 2004 at the latest." This nontransferable assistance should permit this establishment to function peacefully through its sale to a future owner who will be careful to respect and pursue the present course. It is also a way for the city government and the State to reaffirm their connection to and support of the creative and artistic work of this establishment, classed as a National Center of Art and Experiment since 1984. The amount of assistance has not yet been decided.

Let us remember that the Lucernaire was put up for sale in June 2002, by Christian Le Guillochet for "personal reasons." He had benefitted until then from a comfortable subvention to welcome companies and make this place into a vital stage, very appreciated by the public. It was logical that the Ministry of Culture and Communication and the Paris city government had reduced their support and announced that it would be discontinued.

The Lucernaire is an unusual and extraordinarily convivial place where you can see live theater, movies, and art, as well as enjoy conversation over a drink. I sincerely hope that it survives.