Noémie Guez leaves her post at the Ministry of Culture

Noémie Guez, who served as an artistic creation and creative industries advisor at the Ministry of Culture, is leaving her position, effective November 1st. She previously worked in the visual arts field and managed cultural projects at the Grande Halle de la Vilette and the GrandPalaisRmn.

Successor for the book and reading service to be named

Frédéric Gaston has been appointed on an interim basis as head of the book and reading service at the Ministry of Culture, following the departure of Nicolas Georges. This comes as the National Book Center (CNL) faces financial challenges despite a roughly stable budget.

French cultural funding under scrutiny

The 2027 finance bill, presented by the French government, has been criticized for reducing cultural funding. The CNL is preparing for a potential deficit in 2027, and its management is urging publishers to publicly support the institution.

US court rules on book removals in Florida

A federal appellate court in the United States ruled that the removal of books from libraries by Florida school board members is an administrative decision, not a legislative one. This is a procedural victory for PEN America and other groups opposing book restrictions.

Conflict of interest at the US Supreme Court

A conflict of interest has arisen at the American Supreme Court, where four judges withdrew from a case involving BMG due to their ties to Penguin Random House, a subsidiary of the same German group.

Poetry in Transit program at risk in Canada

In Canada, the Poetry in Transit program, which has been running since 1996, faces the threat of funding cuts from TransLink. This could lead to its discontinuation by the 2026-2027 season, prompting writers and publishers to mobilize against its closure.

UK books to be distributed in prisons

In the UK, nearly 500,000 books are set to be distributed in prisons this autumn, supported by author Lee Child and The Reading Agency. This initiative aims to promote reading and education within the prison system.

Flood damages library in Spain

In Spain, a flood caused by the Riu Sec damaged the Central Library of Cerdanyola del Vallès. The lower levels of the library were flooded, and the library remains closed as repairs are assessed.

Book restrictions in Russian libraries

In Russia, books by authors classified as "foreign agents," "extremists," or "terrorists" are being restricted in libraries. Some books are being removed from catalogs, while others are placed in restricted sections.

Anne-Laure Béatrix moves to Clos Lucé

In France, Anne-Laure Béatrix has moved from the Louvre to Clos Lucé in Amboise, where she will oversee cultural programming and partnerships related to Leonardo da Vinci. The National Assembly is examining the 2027 finance bill.

Proposed law on originality of works

A proposed law in France aims to share the burden of proof regarding the originality of works, which currently falls entirely on creators. This is part of broader discussions about intellectual property rights.

Constitutional law proposal on regional languages

A constitutional law proposal seeks to inscribe the respect for regional languages as a fundamental principle of the Republic. This reflects ongoing efforts to preserve linguistic diversity in France.

Controversy in Germany over bookstores

In Germany, Wolfram Weimer, the federal government's delegate for Culture and Media, faces controversy after excluding three bookstores from an institutional prize, labeling them "extremist." This decision has sparked debate about censorship and free expression.

French cultural network opens calls for residencies

In Tunisia, Vietnam, and the United States, the French cultural network abroad is opening calls for candidates for research and creation residencies. These programs aim to support international cultural exchange and collaboration.

New law in Georgia sparks criticism

In Georgia, a new law requiring a single school textbook for each subject and level of education has been criticized by the International Publishers Association as a threat to publishing freedom. This law has raised concerns about educational diversity and choice.

Defamation lawsuit against Mariah Carey dismissed

In the UK, a defamation lawsuit against Mariah Carey for her memoirs has been dismissed. This legal action was related to claims made in her book about former collaborators.

Authors sue Meta over AI training

In the US, several hundred authors have sued Meta for using their works in AI training without authorization. This case highlights ongoing tensions between technology companies and creators over intellectual property rights.

CNL hires Virginie Queste

In France, the National Book Center has hired Virginie Queste as national events officer. This appointment is part of the center's efforts to promote literature and cultural engagement.

New literary prize in the UK

In the UK, a new literary prize has been launched by Helen Fielding to support unknown comedy writers. This initiative aims to encourage new voices in the comedy and writing fields.

Far-right presence in French culture committee

In France, the far right has entered the culture committee of the Senate, with a far-right senator now among the vice-presidents of the culture committee of the upper house. This development has raised concerns about the direction of cultural policy.

Penguin Random House appeal supported

In the US, the International Publishers Association has supported Penguin Random House's appeal against restrictions on a book that implicates singer Gloria Trevi. This case involves free speech and censorship issues.