The city of Strasbourg plans to reduce the hours of its museums or even close them two days a week instead of one, raising questions about its cultural policy in the ranks of the unions and the municipal opposition.
These are
“avenues for reflection”
aimed at avoiding unexpected closures
“in a situation of tension in terms of personnel”,
advanced to AFP Anne Mistler, deputy to the ecologist mayor of Strasbourg, Jeanne Barseghian.
Among these tracks: a weekly closing of two days instead of just one, shortened time slots, a break between 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. or different hours depending on the time of year.
“Nothing is definitive for the moment”,
insisted the assistant in charge of arts and culture, evoking a decision
“if possible”
at the beginning of September.
“Closing between 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. is less inconvenient if the information is given to everyone, closing for a second day, I find that is a lot, (…) at some point, you have to know what you wants to give as a public service”,
reacted Laurence Siry, deputy general secretary of the CFDT at the Eurometropolis of Strasbourg.
At the beginning of August, the city had indicated in a brief press release that
“discussions and a global reflection”
were underway on the operation of the museums.
"What is the credibility of a humanist city, European capital, soon to be
world book capital
, which restricts access to its museums and therefore to culture?",
was indignant at the time the opposition municipal councilor Pierre Jakubowicz ( Horizons), denouncing
“a budgetary measure”
.
According to Anne Mistler, the city has been forced on several occasions to
“unexpectedly close museums or rooms because there were staff on sick leave”,
in particular due to the health crisis.
Strasbourg has 268 agents in its municipal museums, including 120 for reception and surveillance, and a reserve of around 80 temporary workers.
Seventeen positions had been eliminated
“under the previous term of office”
and the
“current tensions on public finances”
do not allow hiring, argued Anne Mistler.
But
"what is certain is that seven days a week, there will be museums open in Strasbourg",
she assured.
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