The Minister of Culture Rachida Dati announced on Tuesday the opening in the autumn of a house of urban cultures in Paris, in the Parc de la Villette, with the vocation of “promoting” the different facets of hip hop (dance, music, street art …).
“There is a desire to affirm very clearly that urban cultures are not cultures on the margin, which have no less value like others. They deserve the same recognition,” said the minister during a trip to La Villette.
Called “Freestyle Villette”, the extended place more than 1,000 m2 will serve as “national platform” for hip hop artists and welcome concerts, dance battle or musical residences.
The Bianca Li choreographer, president of the Villette Park, will ensure that administration and opening to the public are scheduled after the renewal work of 1.7 million euros. Your budget is estimated at 500,000 euros.
It is already a hip hop house in the 11th district
With this project, “urban cultures finally have their right to the Ministry of Culture,” added Rachida Dati, who announced this project in February 2024 a month after their appointment.
“I had reacted a lot, but I’m not close to that,” said the minister who has since given salaries at hip hop. He had gone to the set of Planète Rap, in Skyrock or in the DVM program of the program on Twitch, where he was launched, to the rappers who welcomed her: “You are popular culture.”
“Freestyle Villette” will not be the first place dedicated to hip hop in the capital. Installed in the Des Hales forum, in the heart of Paris, the place has welcomed Raperos, dancers and artists of Graffiti since 2016, and has just received a municipal subsidy of 100,000 euros.
A Hip Hop house is also installed in the 11th District.
“Some had told me that it already existed (…), but I find that all the places of culture are good to open and give life,” said the minister, defending the need to “federate” urban cultures nationwide.
“Urban cultures exist in the city, but what is beautiful is when the places give a space, a roof, an organization (…) to help find young talents,” said artist JR, who attended the presentation, to the AFP.
Source: BFM TV
