Campaign launches for book and reading support

Starting Tuesday, October 27, at 8 a.m., the collective Plaidoyer pour le livre et la lecture, which includes nearly 60 organizations such as SLF, SNE, Sofia, CFC, France Livre, ABF, author groups, and Regional Book Agencies, begins the #SauvonsLaLecture campaign on social media and in general press. This initiative is the first time the book sector has mobilized on such a large scale, according to François Annycke, co-president of the Federation of the Book and Reading (Fill) and director of the Book Agency of Hauts-de-France.

Funding for books and reading declines

The state’s financial support for books and reading has decreased from 23.2 million euros in 2025 to 17.4 million euros in 2026, a 25% drop. These funds support bookstores, publishing houses, literary events, libraries, and regional book structures. The 2027 financial bill (PLF) plans to approve this reduction, which has also led to a 22% decrease in the CNL budget and a 30% drop in cultural democratization credits over two years.

Book sector's low budget share

The 17 million euros in funding for books and reading represents only 0.21% of the Ministry of Culture’s 8 billion euro budget. Books account for 3.9% (319 million euros) of this, with 90% (288 million euros) going to national institutions like the Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF), the Bibliothèque publique de l'Image (BPI), the CNL, or the Maison du dessin de presse. The book sector is the least costly for the state but the largest in terms of turnover.

Campaign phases and symbolic actions

The campaign is divided into three phases, with the first beginning about fifteen days prior. Three public domain titles—L'Odyssée, Les Trois Petits Cochons, and Frankenstein—were sent to senators and deputies with 25% of the text removed, symbolizing the budget cuts. The slogan "Budget cuts truncate imaginations" accompanies this action. In the second phase, each network is encouraged to illustrate the budget reduction in its own way, such as bookstores obscuring 25% of their displays or imagining the reduction of a section.

Ministry response and lack of engagement

The Ministry of Culture attributes the reduced funding to budgetary constraints, stating that the state has no more money and directing actors to patronage and online sales platforms. A letter signed by organizations, including Antoine Gallimard, was not enough to secure a meeting with the minister, according to François Annycke, who says the minister "refuses to see us."

Campaign aims to influence politics and public awareness

Beyond the financial bill, the campaign seeks to influence upcoming presidential elections by addressing candidates directly. The message focuses on the importance of reading as a common good and a lever for education, public health, and democracy. Alexandra Charroin-Spangenberg, president of the SLF, notes that few candidates speak about culture before elections, which is regrettable. The campaign, supported by a communication agency, currently lacks tracking indicators, but organizers hope more professionals will join as the initiative progresses.