Latest news with #PassCulture
Local France
14-03-2025
- Politics
- Local France
PODCAST: How France can revive village life and the historic menace lurking under French soil
Host Ben McPartland is joined by The Local's Emma Pearson, Genevieve Mansfield, and John Lichfield to discuss all the latest news in France. This week we look at France's response to international political tensions. Veteran reporter John Lichfield unpacks whether he is simply stoking fear or if Emmanuel Macron could be the perfect person to lead France and Europe through the crisis. We also look at a new French law intended to make it easier to open new bars and cafés in France's rural villages. The Talking France team chats about whether this could breathe life into an often forgotten part of France, or if it will increase alcohol abuse, as critics warn. Next, we talk about a French scheme - the 'Pass Culture' - that helps young people purchase books, go to the movies, and visit museums, and how it will be changing this year. After a 500kg unexploded World War II bomb caused widespread travel chaos last week, the team looks at how many weapons from the two world wars might still be buried under the ground in France. We also hear from Americans in France about why they are angry right now, as well as why more Americans have decided to move to France in the last few years.
Local France
12-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Local France
What is France's 'culture pass' and how is it changing in 2025?
Launched in 2021, the Pass Culture allows French teenagers to benefit from a sum of money they can spend on 'cultural' activities and items of their choice - this could be books, tickets for the cinema, art galleries or concerts, music or subscriptions. On the Pass Culture website, teenagers can choose from six different categories. The first is Spectacles - which would encompass live performances like plays, stand-up comedy, and dance performances. The second is Visites et sorties, which would include trips to museums and art galleries, as well as special exhibits, events (eg a visit to the Paris town hall or a visit to local heritage sites), and festivals. The third category is Cours et ateliers. Teens can take advantage of courses (both online and in person). For example, you might sign up for a pottery or jewelry-making class. The fourth category is Musique, and this encompasses concerts and other musical events, and the fifth is Lecture, for all things related to books and reading, plus opportunities to sign up for newspaper subscriptions and library cards. Finally, the sixth is Cinéma, with teens able to benefit from a pass to see any movie currently playing at a theatre near them, as well as short subscriptions to streaming platforms like MUBI. The scheme is open to all teenagers resident in France and there is no requirement to be a French citizen (though you must have lived in France for at least a year). The Pass Culture first focused on 18-year-olds, giving them €300, with 24 months to spend the money on culture. By 2022, it had evolved to include a 'collective' fund for teachers to take their pupils on cultural trips and visits. The Pass Culture was part of French President Emmanuel Macron's pledge during his first presidential campaign in 2017 to help young people gain wider access to and appreciation for culture in France. When Macron announced the widening of the scheme across France - following an earlier 'experimental' phase in a few French départements - it was as the country was gradually opening up again after the Covid-19 pandemic. Macron's speech announced both the re-opening of cultural centres and the extension of Pass Culture, saying the new tool would help kids to"exchange ideas, refine [their] tastes and getting advice, and gradually learn to love culture, to love this or that work and to develop shared affinities." How has it changed? From March 2025, the latest version offers 15 and 16-year-olds free cultural activities, while 17-year-olds receive a €50 credit for cultural activities. Meanwhile, 18-year-olds get a sum of €150, which must be used within three years. Previously, the scheme gave an annual credit starting with €20 at age 15, then €30 at ages 16 and 17, and finally €300 at age 18 (which had to be used within two years). Children from low-income households and those with disabilities can also qualify for a special €50 bonus. Unfortunately, 17-year-olds who already benefited from €30 prior to March 2025 will no longer be eligible for the €50 credit, but there is no change for kids who turned 18 before March 1st and benefited from the original €300. Kids have to download and register with app established by the French Ministry of Culture. They will qualify for credit based on their age. The app also lists recommended cultural experiences. You can see them on the Pass Culture website too. There has been some criticism over the years - although most people in France don't seem to resent the €72 million spent annually on getting teenagers interested in culture. In 2024, France's Cour de Comptes issued a report noting that even though 4.2 million young people had signed up for it since 2019, in some ways it has echoed existing economic inequality - in total, 84 percent of 18-year-olds in France had signed up for it, in contrast to 68 percent of eligible working class teens. Pass Culture has also been hit by criticism and political divides surrounding which the types of 'cultural' activities should be encouraged. The Cour de Comptes found that the 'Pass' had mainly been used for purchasing books (representing between 42 and 55 percent of spending each quarter), followed by cinema and concert tickets. In contrast, live performance art (eg plays, ballet performances, etc) represented less than one percent of all purchases via Pass Culture. Meanwhile, in 2021 right-wing politicians sought to exclude Japanese manga comics from the offerings of Pass Culture, after it was revealed that there had been a six percent rise in Manga sales following its introduction, BFTMV reported. In response, culture minister Rachida Dati promised to take further steps to prioritse young people from modest backgrounds and to reserve a portion of funding specifically for live performance art, Maire-Info reported.
