Marseille culture year under way

PRIME Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault launched festivities marking the start of Marseille-Provence as European Capital of Culture.

The PM stood in for President Hollande, who at the last minute had to attend a defence meeting relating to Africa. Police estimated almost 400,000 people turned up to the event, which supporters hope will see a turning point in Marseille’s image and prosperity.

The city has already invested around a billion euros in preparations, most of which went in infrastructure in Marseille itself – sprucing up the Old Port area, renovations to museums and new facilities. It and the whole surrounding area of Provence will host more than 400 cultural events during the year, including sixty art exhibitions.

It is hoped there will be around 12 million visitors this year – double the usual amount.

This comes against a backdrop of a generally poor image, as Marseille is associated in people’s minds with drug and gun crime – especially in its poorer outlying districts – including shootings with automatic weapons. In September last year the government announced an inter-ministerial plan to fight against the city’s rising crime.

The city has also been hard-hit by the economic crisis.

Speaking at the launch, Mr Ayrault said: “I know that Marseille is burdened with inequalities, sees too much violence and suffers from an unfair image, but today what brings us together is Marseille fighting back, a Marseille which is changing and which is going to win.”

European Capital of Culture was launched in 1985 and since then several French cities have held the title, including Paris, Lille and Avignon. This year Marseille shares it with Kosice in Slovakia.

Photo: screen shot from BFM TV