For the third year in a row, the municipality of Bezannes (Marne) is issuing a humorous false decree requiring residents to perform all kinds of eccentric obligations: wear a kitsch Christmas sweater or wear a radiant smile.
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“Having regard to the General Code of Territorial Authorities and in particular articles L 2212-1 et seq. Considering the imminence of the end of year holidays […]”. From every point of view, this municipal decree begins in a very classic way. But in Bezannes, Christmas celebrations have a very particular importance, including within the municipal council.
“From December 1, 2024 to January 2 inclusive, everyone present on the municipal territory is required to wear a radiant smile in all circumstances” we can read from the first paragraph.
The rest of the decree is a succession of crazy imperatives, against a backdrop of Christmas atmosphere. Obviously, the ugly sweater”is obligatory during family reunions and public events“with a preference for sweaters displaying”luminous reindeer or multicolored glitter“, threatening even those who do not wear one with being”banned from the town until January 2“.
This is the only order of the year that I do not send to the sub-prefecture
Dominique Potar, mayor of Bezannes
“This is obviously a false order.” reassures Dominique Potar, the mayor of Bezannes. Moreover, in the last article, it is clearly specified that the text cannot be the subject of “of no appeal before the incompetent administrative court“The joke therefore has no legal value, even if, always in a humorous tone, the elected official reserves his rights.”the right to apply it“.
This is the third time since the start of his mandate (2020-2026) that Dominique Potar has published such a text. “This is the only order of the year that I do not send to the sub-prefecture” he says, laughing, before continuing more seriously: “it takes us away from anxiety-provoking subjects, such as those of the public debt. We felt the need to do something a little off the beaten track.” and thus to humanize the public figures of peri-urban and rural communities.
This false decree includes seven articles and forces residents to take unusual measures in the spirit of Christmas.
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© Bezannes Town Hall
I always tend to say that you have to be serious without taking yourself seriously. You have to be professional but never lose your humor” he concludes.
Moreover, it is not only the residents who will be “constrained” to celebrate the end of year holidays as the municipality asks them. The elected officials too, “in the event of no snowfall in the days leading up to Christmas“must participate in”a collective rain dance session […] snow boots on your feet, and a Christmas hat screwed on your head“.
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