A dream of books in Martinique, threatened by budgetary reality

« What continues to be surprised is that in period of economic recession, the cuts in culture are systematic – in mainland France as in the overseas territories, while it represents the second economy of the country, if we take into account all those who live directly or indirectly », Note the actress actress and singer Viktor Lazlo, founder of the Martinican festival.

Buildings in strong decline

The event. Meanwhile, which is preparing to hold its fourth edition, from November 17 to 23, was quickly supported by the Directorate of Cultural Affairs (DAC) of Martinique, the communities of communes, or the local authority of Martinique (CTM). Similarly, If she wants to salute the DAC which. Meanwhile, despite the economic situation, has decided to increase its support for the literary festival, “ It is clear that other communities have disengaged “, Land dream books martinique, threatened budgetary on his designer.

For example. Similarly, the overseas ministry reduced its support by 75 %: ” A decision that can be understood, insofar as it is today strongly mobilized to respond to social emergency – in particular to prevent new tensions linked to expensive life », observe-t-elle.

In Martinique. For example, the cost of living is on average 40 % higher than in mainland France, and everyday consumer products cost up to 44 % more. However, Martinicans gain an average of 14 % less than the inhabitants of France. For example, This high cost is largely explained by the fact that 75 % of the products are imported. In addition, often by plane or refrigerated container, which increases costs. Therefore, Added to this is the granting of the sea. Furthermore, a local tax which can represent +20 % on the price of rice, for example. Moreover, The government is preparing dream books martinique, threatened budgetary a law to supervise the margins of distributors. However, but taxation remains the node of the problem, according to journalist Olivier Dauvers.

Priority. Moreover, for Viktor Lazlo, should rather be to invest in everything that can allow Caribbean companies to develop sustainable savings, anchored locally: “ It is time to get out of this systematic dependence on transatlantic exchanges. Moreover, We could. Additionally, Moreover, among other things, turn to the other islands of the Antilles, which already produce a lot – and could feed their own population more, in a logic of economic and cultural sovereignty. »

Side potential private partners. Similarly, the author of My noisy heart notes a tenacious reality: “ Generally, literature interests them little, and this year again. Consequently, We will prioritize sport for example, more visible and more profitable. Meanwhile, “The festival has also lost an important partner for air transport. In addition, in the dream books martinique, threatened budgetary legal person of Air France, which is disengaging there, for budgetary reasons:” I contacted the other three companies that make the connection, and I am now waiting for their answers », Partage Viktor Lazlo.

Dream books martinique. Moreover, threatened budgetary

Remunerated authors

The Festival in Dreamed country welcomes 18 writers from around the world and 6 literary journalists selected between Martinique and France. Consequently, They must be defrained. Meanwhile, hosting them, but also ensuring the costs of restoration of the authors, and paying them: ” I take care to remunerate all the interventions of the authors, in accordance with the Charter of the National Book Center. Whether meetings with the public, workshops in school or university, or dialogues between peers, each contribution is paid. This is a question of principle: as an author myself. I fight for a fair recognition of intellectual work and for each writer to be treated dream books martinique, threatened budgetary with dignity “Explains the designer of the festival.

Among the authors expected for the 2025 edition of the Festival in Dreamed country. Nicole Cage, an essential figure in Caribbean literature, Kamel Daoud, winner of the Goncourt Prize for the first novel, or Olivier Guez, Nancy Huston, Lisette Lombé, Olivier Norek, Rokhaya Diallo Rugamba.

It is also necessary to pay the local musicians who participate in the meetings. to which are added vehicle rental for travel, in addition to those loaned by the sponsor, the possible remuneration of the interpreters (Spanish-English), the reimbursement of the costs incurred by volunteers, the printing of communication supports (Kakémonos, flyers, programs, catalogs, tarpaulins), the graphic design of these different elements, general production and the artistic direction of the event. In all, a budget that is close to 200,000 euros.

The collective share of the culture pass also constitutes a precious tool in the organization of dream books martinique, threatened budgetary the event: an important part of the interventions in schools is covered by this device. which makes it possible to cover part of the remuneration of the authors. Recall that in 2024, the budget envelope on the part Pass Culture was 97 million euros. In 2025, it was reduced to 72 million, due to a significant contraction of allocated credits. From June, only 50 million euros were actually available, including 40 million already engaged on this date …

The festival in dreamed also has been receiving the support of the CNL since the third edition. and this year, the Sofia joined them: “ These are not big amounts, but these are precious aids, which make it possible to hold the festival in good conditions. “Still. what most salons and other festivals live in France: funding drops and costs increase:” The festival stands without its funding being fully ensured upstream. We dream books martinique, threatened budgetary always start in this uncertainty, with sometimes debts postponed from the previous year-like those of 2024. It should also be remembered that the public authorities. as committed as they are, do not regulate the aid “ruby on the nail”: the payments take time, while the expenses are immediate. »»

For all these reasons. ” And a little in debt, we decided to launch this call to donation, in order to allow those who want to help us cross the storm “Confides the creator of the event.

« Montrealers organize, for example, their arrival in Martinique according to the dates of the festival. This shows how the event participates in the cultural attractiveness of the island, including tourism. Cultural tourism is a lever that should not be underestimated. and what we put in place begins to swarm in the French-speaking space. For the future, we are working on collaboration with Benin. dream books martinique, threatened budgetary It would be a shame to have to brake, or worse, stop this dynamic. »

The organization ensures: each contribution will go directly to the benefit of this 2025 edition. The objective has been set at € 30,000, but any amount collected will already represent an air, we are told. To support the festival in dreamed country, it’s here.

Dream books martinique, threatened budgetary

A territory rich in stories

In 2022, Viktor Lazlo decided to create a literary festival, ” Because there was nothing in Martinique on this side: as a writer, I found out that a territory that has seen the birth of masterful feathers offers no offer in terms of literary meetings. I wanted to get started. even if I didn’t know how to do it, simply because it’s my country, and it had to exist. »» She dream books martinique, threatened budgetary has tried since finding a balance between the big names. the authors of the Caribbean, and those who deserve to be highlighted.

The festival is deployed throughout Martinique, with events that bring together between 70 and 400 people, depending on the scene. He invests amphitheatres. media libraries and libraries, prisons, but also emblematic places, such as the Domaine de la Pagerie aux Trois-Îlets, place of birth of Joséphine de Beauharnais, the Saint-Jacques fund, former Jesuit monastery in Sainte-Marie, or Tong-Maina, Trinité, living space dedicated to Caribbean and African cultures. Meetings are also organized in high schools and colleges. “” We go to people with this festival Summarizes Viktor Lazlo. All events are completely free.

Actualitté also had the chance to cover the first edition of the literary show All Creolewhich brought together the. writers of Martinique in the gardens of the Clément housing. A privileged exchange time with local actors dream books martinique, threatened budgetary to better understand the dynamics of the book in Martinique. Like Gérard Dorwling-Cartter. and Emmanuel de Reynal, she notes: ” Everyone is a writer in Martinique, everyone has a story to tell. It is a land of creators, where we write, where we sing, where we make narrative in all its forms. “And to point” The whole paradox of Martinique »: A country deeply attached to writing. rich in creation, but still badly irrigated in pounds.

« The book ecosystem remains fragile here: independent bookstores have almost all closed. She works today with the bubble box and the Fnac, which provide the works of the guest authors. Access to the book. more generally, remains unequal: ” Some territories are very little served, and almost 10 % of the population is in illiteracy. »

To read – Leave the bar for the edition: the challenge of Catherine Marceline

dream books martinique, threatened budgetary

She also takes a critical look at self -publishing, widely used on the island: “ Not out of contempt, but because I don’t always see the real nuggets emerging through this. I understand that it is difficult to find an editor. but there are very good ones, including in our region, and I encourage a real editorial, structured approach. I think you have to remain demanding, to enhance the best of this production. »

In a tense economic context. the festival in a dreamed country continues to bet on the meeting, the story and the transmission. So that access to literature is closer to a right, not a privilege.

Photo credits: Festival in dreamed country

By Hocine Bouhadjera
Contact : hb@actualitte.com