Ua decision that is based on its “principles”. Franco-Iranian director Marjane Satrapi refused to be decorated with the Legion of Honor, denouncing the “hypocritical” attitude of French diplomacy towards Iran. “This decision is based on my principles which are dear to me and on my attachment to my birthplace, Iran,” wrote the artist in a letter addressed to the Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati, published on her Instagram account Monday January 13.
“I cannot ignore what I perceive as a hypocritical attitude of France towards Iran which has forged the other part of my identity,” she added. Marjane Satrapi, who arrived in France in 1994 and naturalized in 2006, was promoted to the rank of Knight of the Legion of Honor last July. And to justify: “I would like to emphasize that my refusal is in no way an act of contempt towards this institution or the values it embodies. » “It’s just my desire to align my actions with my convictions,” she clarified.
The author of Persepolis particularly regrets the French policy in the allocation of visas, which she deplores. “I can no longer see the children of Iranian oligarchs coming to spend vacations in France, or even getting naturalized while young dissidents have difficulty obtaining even a tourist visa to finally see what the country of Enlightenment and human rights looks like. the man,” she wrote, still on Instagram.
A gesture of solidarity
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 [ses] French compatriots held hostage in Iran.
“For a while, I have really struggled to understand France's policy towards Iran,” she continues, regretting that “young freedom-loving Iranians, dissidents, artists, are are refused visas”, including tourist visas, while children of “Iranian oligarchs” “walk around Paris as in Saint-Tropez without this posing any problem”.
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Kangaroo of the day
Answer
According to the designer, “supporting the women's revolution in Iran cannot be reduced to photos with victims or celebrities during commemorations of the death of Mahsa Amini”, a young Iranian Kurd who died in 2022 after her arrest by the police of morals for allegedly violating the strict dress code imposed on women.
“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. On the contrary, I deeply love this country that is mine,” she insists, wishing “that France remains true to itself.” And to conclude: “I will be honored when all the defenders of freedom are at my side. »
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