two Alsatian cities concerned react

Last July. In addition, the label “The most beautiful festivals in France” included the Obernai Christmas market and Heimetfescht in Sélestat in its ranking. Similarly, At the same time. However, an investigation by the weekly humanity revealed the bonds of the association with the billionaire conservative Pierre-Edouard Sterin. Meanwhile, An embarrassing label for local elected officials.

Obernai’s Christmas market. For example, Heimetfescht in Sélestat, a demonstration celebrating local folklore, were integrated into the label “The most beautiful festivals in France” this summer. Moreover, But the two municipalities did not expect to be a national controversy for this reason.

An investigation by the weekly humanity revealed in July the links between the label. Similarly, the conservative billionaire Pierre-Edouard, assumed support of the national rally for the presidential election of 2027. The young association at the origin of the label is indeed coordinated by the event agency Studio 496. whose billionaire is a shareholder. This is also one of the label patrons.

“If it is proven, we will take our distancesays Bernard Fischer, the mayor of Obernai, to here Alsace. I have nothing against the billionaires but if it is something truncated for other ends. we do not eat this bread.“This position follows the retropedalages of two alsatian cities concerned react a dozen other municipalities concerned by the label in recent times. in particular in Brittany, in the Basque Country and Gironde.

And it is probably not over. because the controversy swells, and the withdrawal of some forces the remaining municipalities to position themselves. Contacted. the city of Sélestat immediately specifies not to be part of the organization of Heimetfescht, the local party awarded by the label. It is indeed the windows of Sélestat which organize this event aimed at promoting Alsatian folklore. But the town does not hesitate to comment: “It is true that it can harm the image of the city of Sélestat. so we hope that the president of the windows will be able to take responsibility if the facts are proven“Indicates Cécile Mamprin, director of the mayor’s office.

On the windows side. we ensure that we have learned the existence of this investigation by a journalist three two alsatian cities concerned react weeks ago. “”We have seen that the first two chosen festivals had received a prize given by Stéphane Bern. that for the following sixty, a ceremony would be organized in a prestigious place in Paris, and that in addition we could benefit from a subsidy, so we did not ask ourselves questions“, Reports Edouard Figure.

The organizer says to himself “disappointed“Of the negative scale that the controversy takes. but excludes to reject the label at this stage.”We have nothing to blame ourselves, and we are and we will remain completely apolitical. Afterwards, if everyone begins to withdraw from the label, we will not stay the only ones to support him. If it continues, so much the better, if it stops, too bad.“The label allows windows to receive a subsidy of 3. 000 euros for the organization of its Heimetfescht, out of a total budget of 20,000 euros.

Mr. Sterin is not a member of the association. and the association does not report

The French team of France

Taken in the storm, the association split a press release in which it responds to what it describes as “Landy processes” and “Defamatic shortcuts”. “If we had been a political association, we would not have labeled holidays in cities at such different political edges (…) We have never asked even a modification of their editorial line, their choice of providers or their programming.”

As for the influence of Pierre-Edouard Sterin on their activity, it would be zero. “”Mr. Sterin is not a member of the association, and the association gives it no account “is it written. The press release acknowledges having requested the billionaire foundation for subsidies. “Just as we have requested European aid, ministerial aid, public and private subsidies; This does not make us actors of two alsatian cities concerned react his personal projects.“

The association finally assures that it “discuss with his lawyers to bring legal action“. She does not specify, however, to whom, nor for what reason.