These amounts are lower than previous commitments for the period 2021-2024 where the region had invested 3.26 million euros, the State 1.2 million euros, and the CNL 630,000 euros.
« This new sector framework agreement, which is now a national benchmark, aims to support professionals in the book chain in their economic development, their structuring and their literary creation. It includes regional orientations in terms of sustainable development, with an emphasis on training, cooperative work between stakeholders, assistance with the dissemination and promotion of authors from Nouvelle-Aquitaine. », Underlines Charline Claveau, vice-president of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Regional Council in charge of culture, in a press release.
Priorities
The new sector contract sets four essential priorities, despite current economic challenges such as the increase in the cost of paper and competition from large national publishing houses:
Development and sustainability of the sector, with an emphasis on professionalization through increased training to strengthen the skills of those involved in the sector.
Dynamization and territorial coverage, with support for creative and production activities, particularly in rural or semi-rural areas, to guarantee access to cultural resources and services.
Broadening the readership, with encouragement of initiatives to promote reading and facilitate access to books and places of distribution, as well as meeting with various audiences.
Support for the ecological transition, with the adoption of a roadmap in March 2024 for the ecological transition in the region's cultural sector.
In terms of financial support, the sector contract covers the entire territory of Nouvelle-Aquitaine and is aimed at all professionals in the book chain, including authors, independent publishers, distributors, distributors and independent booksellers. Specific training is offered for publishing houses and writers, as well as inter-professional days to strengthen exchanges and collaboration between the different players in the sector.
In the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, an aid program called “ Inking » aims to support structures in the book sector. This program is designed to stimulate editorial diversity and promote the professionalization of publishing houses and bookstores. Emphasis is also placed on the consolidation of existing bookstores and mixed businesses through targeted investments and professionalization, as well as the development of new sustainable projects in remote or disadvantaged areas.
Cooperation initiatives and experiments that facilitate the ecological transition and adapt the book chain to new changes are also encouraged.
New Aquitaine is pleased to host nearly 200 literary events and fairs organized annually. The region has more than 200 independent bookstores offering a wide range of books, and more than 250 independent publishing houses, making it the second region in France in number of independent publishers after Île-de-France. More than 1,500 authors, poets, translators, illustrators, comic book writers and designers are also referenced in this vast region.
Budget cuts
An announcement which contrasts with last December 19, where during a plenary session, the regional council of Nouvelle-Aquitaine adopted the initial budget for 2025, amounting to 3.3 billion euros, marking a reduction of 200 million euros compared to the previous year. This budget includes 938 million euros for investments and 2.2 billion euros for operations, with 180 million euros allocated to the repayment of debt annuities. It includes the new book support contract for 2025-2027.
The budget dedicated to culture was set at 74.7 million euros, down from 79.1 million euros the previous year. The budget provides a notable increase of 17.81% for cultural industries, although funds for spatial planning, including cultural events and arts education, have been reduced by 10.3%. Credits for regional languages and cultures, on the other hand, increased by 26%.
The Book, Cinema and Audiovisual Agency (ALCA) has seen its operating funds reduced, despite its key role in supporting cultural operators in the region. The youth component of the budget, specifically appropriations for arts and cultural education, was also reduced by 13%.
Several multi-year objectives agreements have been ratified to support major cultural initiatives such as the International City of Comics and Images and the International Comics Festival and 9th Art+.
This budgetary context is marked by a difficult national economic situation, with a public deficit estimated at 6.1% of GDP in 2024, exacerbated by criticized fiscal and budgetary choices of previous governments.
Photo credits: The independent bookstore “Livres et Vous” in Ruffec (Charente) © Région Nouvelle-Aquitaine
By Hocine Bouhadjera
Contact : [email protected]
