: Survey the billionaire Pierre-Edouard Sterin behind the label “The most beautiful festivals in France”, organizers of festive events disengaged

It can be a nice macaroon to place on posters. Furthermore, a panel to plant at the entrance to the municipalities, promotions broadcast on social networks. However, The label “The most beautiful festivals in France” offers visibility to 57 selected events, very often local festivals. For example, This label also allows municipalities to affect subsidies. Similarly, Launched in 2024, “the most beautiful festivals in France” are in the eye of the cyclone in recent weeks. Nevertheless, Many events have decided to disengage since the revelations of humanity. Similarly, In July, which show that the association behind the label is financed : survey billionaire pierre-edouard sterin by Pierre-Edouard Sterin, the highly deemed billionaire renowned close to the extreme right.

The Saint-Bonnet-le-Froid mushroom fair, in Haute-Loire, which must be held on November 8 and 9, was one of the labeled holidays. Moreover, At the start, for the president of the event, Jacques Marcon, this label was “A real plus”. “Five thousand euros of aid to develop the fair, it is not negligible. It immediately convinced us.” At the end of July. when he learns that the billionaire, Pierre-Edouard sterin co-finance this label, Jacques Marcon regrets having said “oui” It lies.

“It is our mistake not to have asked for the statutes, not to have gone further to check. I prefer to have less budget for my factor, but remain apolitical and free to think.”

Jacques Marcon, President of the Saint-Bonnet-le-Froid mushroom fair

in franceinfo

This mushroom fair has : survey billionaire pierre-edouard sterin existed for almost 30 years. It brings together an average of 50,000 people in recent years. Jacques Marcon does not want to take a risk of targeting his reputation: “If we accept money from a patron close to the extreme right. our fair will take a standexplains the president of the mushroom fair. So we decided to withdraw. ”

In France, A dozen events have done the same. In the Basque Country. for example, the Pepper Festival in Espelette and the Basque festival in Hendaye have decided to separate from the label, As revealed by our colleagues in the Basque Country (ex-France Bleu).

Some organizers prefer to play the watch. do not want to rush before giving up these funding and this exhibition, such as Marc Bissot, president of the Mourjou chestnut fair. This event takes place on October 18 and 19. This organizer kept his macaroon : survey billionaire pierre-edouard sterin “The most beautiful festivals in France” Because he assures him “Nothing proves that Pierre-Edouard. sterin in hand on decisions within the label”. “He does not have decision -making power. It is only a financial partner. I do not see why it would be necessary to change.”

The coordinator of the association “The most beautiful festivals in France”. Thomas Meslin, hammers it: the association is apolitical, so he does not look that finances. “Our values are not those of a political party. Our values are sharing, conviviality, cohesion, the influence of our communes. Those who speak today of this controversy with this link presupposed between” the most beautiful festivals in France “and Mr. Sterin actually want to speak to you about politics.”

For his part, Pierre-Edouard Sterin has never hidden his ambitions. He wishes to use his fortune to make politically triumph the most conservative ideas. Among his : survey billionaire pierre-edouard sterin many projects. there is the “pericked” plan, which provides forInvest tens of millions of euros to advance the ideas of ultra -right in French society.

The event organizers of this label also wonder about the role played by an event agency of which Pierre-Edouard. Sterin is a shareholder: Studio 496. The latter manages part of the organization of the association “The most beautiful festivals in France”. Moreover, the president of this company, Thibaut Farrenq, presents himself as “the label coordinator”. “He has the role which was entrusted by the Board of Directors under a mandate to provide servicesexplains Thomas Meslin. A mandate that can stop overnight by decision of the board of directors. This does not mean that it is this company that pilots the association. “ The coordinator of the association “The most beautiful festivals in France” says it is “Victim for a few. days of a hostile media : survey billionaire pierre-edouard sterin campaign”. “They use false processes and defamatory shortcuts to try to convince our members to leave us.”

Associations. festivals committees contacted by Franceinfo assure that “the most beautiful festivals in France” have never asked to modify anything in the programs of the festivities. The vast majority of them are now hoping for a distance from the billionaire. Otherwise the organizers also reflect on the label.