Franco-Iranian artist Marjane Satrapi refuses the Legion of Honor

Born in Tehran and naturalized in 2006, the director and comic book author is committed to supporting Iranians in the fight for democracy.

The Franco-Iranian artist Marjane Satrapi, who made herself known worldwide with the comic strip and the film Persepolisannounced Monday January 13 to refuse the Legion of Honor, denouncing “a hypocritical attitude of France towards Iran”particularly in the allocation of visas.

Arriving in France in 1994, naturalized in 2006, the 55-year-old director was promoted to the rank of Knight of the Legion of Honor last July. A decoration that she decided to “decline” because of his “principles” and its “attachment” to his “homeland of birth”she explains in a letter addressed to the Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati.

In this letter, published on Instagram, she states: “I cannot ignore what I perceive as France’s hypocritical attitude towards Iran”refuting everything “contempt” towards the institution that distinguished her.

In a video posted a few hours later on the social network, the artist evokes a “mark of solidarity with the Iranians, especially with women and with Iranian youth, but also with (his) French compatriots held hostage in Iran”. She adds: “For a while now, I have really struggled to understand France’s policy towards Iran”regretting that “Young freedom-loving Iranians, dissidents, artists are being refused visas”including tourists, while children“Iranian oligarchs” with “Walk in Paris as in Saint-Tropez without this posing any problem”.

According to her, “Supporting the women's revolution in Iran cannot be reduced to photos with victims or celebrities during the commemorations of the death of Mahsa Amini”a young woman arrested for violating the Islamic Republic's strict dress code and whose death sparked a vast protest movement in 2022. “The Iranians do not need communication, we need concrete actions”argues Marjane Satrapi.

“The refusal of the Legion of Honor is in no way an action or a thought against France. Quite the contrary, I deeply love this country which is mine”she insists, wishing “may France remain true to itself”. She concludes by stating:“I will be honored when all the defenders of freedom stand with me.”

Contacted by AFP, Marjane Satrapi explained that the presentation of her Legion of Honor was to take place in January. “When you have a people fighting for democracy (…) you have to support them”she said.