The socialist president of Seine-Saint-Denis, Stéphane Troussel, announced plans to create three large-scale open-air historical performances in 2027. These performances, named Populaire, are intended to challenge what Troussel describes as "reactionary narratives" that promote an idea of France as having a unique, white, and Catholic identity. The project was unveiled during a launch event held at the offices of the Seine-Saint-Denis departmental council. The performances, scheduled for spring and summer 2027, aim to provide an alternative historical narrative. The first will take place at the Basilica of Saint-Denis and will focus on the exhumation of royal remains by revolutionaries. The second will be held at the Bauer Stadium in Saint-Ouen and will explore the history of sports from a popular perspective. The third will occur in a park in Courneuve and will cover the history of migrations from the end of World War II through the early 1980s. The communication strategy for the project is being managed by Combat Media, a group owned by banker and self-described left-wing figure Matthieu Pigasse. During an interview on France Inter, Pigasse did not rule out running for the French presidency. The idea of creating a counterpoint to Puy du Fou, a large historical amusement park in Vendée, has been discussed among left-wing politicians for some time. Deputy François Ruffin, currently a presidential candidate, raised the idea earlier in 2026 and revisited it during the Fête de l'Humanité, a left-wing festival held in September. Stéphane Troussel emphasized that the performances will not simply replace one narrative with another, but instead present a more comprehensive view of history. Historian Guillaume Mazeau, who is helping coordinate the project with Patrick Boucheron, noted that the focus will be on research and authenticity. The performances are planned to take place after the 2027 presidential election, as Troussel stated that the cultural and ideological battle will continue regardless of the election outcome.