Dear Presidents,
Dear Philippe Arraou,
Dear Pascal Eydoux,
Dear Eric Groud,
Dear Christian Lefebvre,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Dear friends,
In these terrible days, when women and men have lost their lives in the most atrocious attacks, where it is also the culture that has been hard hit, we need you more than ever.
The French, who believe in the power of culture to give depth to our lives and bring us together above all else, need you.
The French, who believe in this ideal of freedom, diversity, diversity and openness to others, which is embodied in our cultural life through the power of imagination and the talent of artists, need you.
The French, who believe that culture is at the heart of the response to the attacks that have bruised our country, because it is a weapon of mass destruction against obscurantism, ignorance, fanaticism, we need you more than ever.
For France to continue to dance, sing and play more and more;
So that it may continue to showcase its rich heritage and welcome to its territory works threatened from around the world;
That it may always be this land where art is free, free to make us grow, to build us or to console us;
We need the generosity and participation of all.
The meaning of this convention, which brings us together this evening, will probably never have been more serious or more obvious. That is why I wished at all costs that this event be maintained.
This is the third protocol, my dear friends, that you are signing today with my Ministry to develop the cultural patronage of companies and individuals. This is the first for the National Council of Bars, which is associated in an unprecedented way with this approach. I want to thank him for his new involvement. Lawyers are, everywhere in France, major interlocutors for our citizens and businesses. Their contribution will be essential. I would also like to express my gratitude to CCI France and to all the chambers of commerce and industry, to the Conseil Supérieur du Notariat and to the Conseil Supérieur de l'Ordre des experts-comptables for their determination over the past ten years to contribute to the growth of patronage.
The success of your engagement with us is now well established. Since the State adopted a legislative and fiscal framework that is very favourable to patronage – this was in 2003 – the cultural gift has continued to grow. It represents 1 billion euros each year. It contributes in a major way to the financing of the cultural life of France, alongside the public patronage of the State and local authorities.
To the calls for public generosity, launched by the Heritage Foundation or major cultural institutions, the French respond massively. Every day, a new endowment fund is registered. The success of online contribution platforms is well established. I also fought to make crowdfunding easier and more recognized.
These new protocols, which commit us to each other for the next five years, are intended to raise awareness of these legislative and tax provisions, to promote the dissemination of good practices, and to encourage new donations for culture. The Charter of Cultural Patronage, which we established with the Ministry of Finance last year, is an essential document to which everyone can refer: it helps to provide a frame of reference for both donors and recipients.
The strength of your action is that it irrigates the entire territory. It is essential to make culture live everywhere in France, and to bring it closer to our fellow citizens. Especially when they are away from it. Especially when they do not feel comfortable in places of culture, but only aspire to be so. As you know, this is my first priority.
In fact, donations do not go only to major museums or acquisitions. They can also finance the renovation of lesser-known sites, the development of arts and cultural education projects, or the creation of new works.
To raise awareness of the projects to be financed and the modalities for doing so, your philanthropy correspondents are very effective. They find, I know, attentive and competent interlocutors within the Regional Directorates of Cultural Affairs. The regional centres of patronage, which this protocol encourages to be set up, have precisely the purpose of circulating more information to the promoters of projects in search of funding; as to companies that could be sponsors, but not yet.
It is sometimes difficult for a company to embark on a sponsorship project alone. A fortiori when it is a TPE, an SME, or the activity of a liberal profession. That is why we are committed, together, to promoting collective philanthropy. I mentioned participatory platforms. It is a possibility, but it is not the only one. Informal or associative business clubs, foundations or endowment funds may have other advantages. I know you are engaged on this issue, and you can count on the support of my Department.
I believe, my dear friends, in the fairness and importance of your commitment. I myself have served in the past as a director of a cultural patronage foundation that you know well—the Royaumont Foundation. Patronage is a precious gesture for France and the French, because it makes each contributor an actor in cultural life.
Even before the tragic events of last Friday, the government reaffirmed its commitment to culture. By increasing the Nation’s contribution to the cultural life of our country for 2016, he had shown that it was one of its priorities. This priority remains. Better: this priority has never been so necessary, so obvious. I’m determined to pursue her, and I’m asking you to help me.
Thank you.