Why is the poster for the Avignon festival controversial?
the Avignon Festivalwhich will take place from July 7 to 26, unveiled its attach realized by Afghan artist Kubra Khadeni. And it is not unanimous. Some netizens mention “vulgar“, “shocking“and delivering a message”unhealthy“. Some even claim that she does the”promotion of pedophilia“.
A resident of Pontet, in the Vaucluse, even launched a petition to demand its withdrawal. In question: the naked women which are represented above, behind three keys symbolizing those of the city.
The director of the Festival, Olivier Py, reacted by recalling that each year, the posters were “subject to a lot of interpretations”. For him, these are not little girls on the poster, but a depiction of Kubra Khadeni herself. A strong symbol since the poster would have been created “the day after the Taliban banned school for girls”, in Afghanistan, explains Olivier Py. “Kubra Khademi is a feminist whose paintings and performances are informed by the situation in her country,” he adds.
This 76th edition of the Festival d’Avignon will take place for the last time under the direction of Olivier Py, director of the festival since 2013 who will be replaced by Tiago Rodrigues in 2023.