A “firm and definitive” cancellation for an event which had been in preparation for “more than three years” and which had been announced last week. On April 27, five DJs and rappers were to perform on the roof of one of the towers of the basilica of Fourvière, in Lyon, with a broadcast for the public on Place Saint-Jean. A unique show that had the blessing of the Fourvière Foundation, owner of the site. But this Thursday, the latter announced its cancellation.
In a tweet, the institution writes that the announcement of the concert “has aroused many reactions which divide and generate serious dissension”. The events it supports must “necessarily take place in a spirit of unity and peace”, she continues. Before adding: “Since this is clearly no longer the case, the Foundation decides that it is no longer able to host such an event on its site. »
A framework of an identity small group welcomes
According to information fromNews Lyon, the mobilization against the concert was held partly on social networks, with the support of profiles like that of Aliette Espieux, spokesperson for an anti-abortion association. Sinisha Milinov, part of the ultra-right and identity group Les Remparts – which Grégory Doucet asked for the dissolution -, meanwhile congratulated himself by tweeting: “We didn’t even have time to take action. The pressure shots were enough! »
QDS, the association organizing the event, for its part simply wrote in a press release that groups of individuals would have put pressure on the Foundation by addressing “serious threats of violence”. One of the spokespersons confided to 20 minutes the extent of the phenomenon after the launch of the communication of the event. “At the start, the Fourvière Foundation mediated to reassure people and afterwards, there were hate messages with intimidation, that there would be violence on D-Day. There is a risk that the institution couldn’t take. »
Support from the town hall for the project to be reborn?
The QDS spokesperson finds it “unacceptable” and “worrying” that a cultural event can be canceled under pressure from individuals. “Especially since this project was developed with the Foundation and hand in hand with the religious body of the basilica,” he says. In no way was it intended to offend or disrespect the venues that planned to host the performers. »
The representative of the association now hopes “support from the town hall” to see this project reborn, “even if the concept is no longer there” of “linking the emerging cultures of Lyon and its heritage”.