Sian d’Aqui: What actions do you plan to take to promote the return of the court of appeal?
Hervé Caël: This topic has been recurrent for years in electoral campaigns. The establishment of a Court of Appeal in Nice is a clear necessity given the distance from Aix-en-Provence, the number of cases from the Nice area, and the waiting times… However, we will not indulge in the demagogy of making more promises than a municipality can keep. The city hall can only contribute by providing premises or land.
Sian d’Aqui: What facility will be located at the current location of the south station?
Hervé Caël: Definitely not a grand municipal palace!! We prefer local town halls in each neighborhood and to develop e-administration. The south station site will include local facilities and initiatives to energize the neighborhood. The highlight of this project will be a City of Arts and Culture with a new cinematheque.
Sian d’Aqui: What is your stance on the future large stadium and what is the expected timeline for its completion?
Hervé Caël: We are supportive of a Sports City in the Var plain which includes a large stadium with 32,000 seats, adapted for the spectators of tomorrow, as requested during the public inquiry.
Sian d’Aqui: Do you find it legitimate for Nice to become the regional capital in a new administrative division?
Hervé Caël: We are facing a dual issue: the need in France for large regions capable of ensuring our economic development and employment on one hand, and the unacceptable subjugation by Marseille on the other.
It would not be wise to further divide our region as France needs large regions—like other European countries—that can be an appropriate level for economic development. Moreover, it is not the status of capital that allows a region to excel… but its assets and talents!
Sian d’Aqui: What actions do you plan to support the learning of the Niçoise language in middle schools, high schools, and universities?
Hervé Caël: Offer courses in Niçoise language and culture in after-school and extracurricular activities.
Sian d’Aqui: Do you intend to continue or enhance the celebration of traditional Niçoise festivals?
Hervé Caël: The success of traditional festivals among the people of Nice, as well as tourists, is undeniable. We wish to continue and expand these traditions making them even more accessible to everyone.
Sian d’Aqui: What future for the carnival?
Hervé Caël: The Nice Carnival should be considered from two compatible aspects: a peak moment for the city’s tourist activity and a genuine popular Niçoise festivity.
We hope that the Nice Carnival becomes representative of the entire Côte d’Azur and that it is free and participatory. In this context, there will be a call for projects among associations, schools, colleges, high schools, etc., after which the best float projects will be funded. Each year, there will be an election for the most beautiful float with a significant prize awarded (similar to the Rio Carnival model).
We also propose to create a carnival museum.
Sian d’Aqui: Do you think there are sufficient or satisfactory venues for Niçoise culture?
Hervé Caël: Definitely insufficient!!! Niçoise culture in Nice must have two aspects: local cultural actions and large-scale events.
Among priorities let’s mention the creation of medium-sized venues to facilitate the expression and development of local groups.
Sian d’Aqui: What means do you intend to implement to promote the creation and distribution of Niçoise culture?
Hervé Caël: Niçoise culture is diverse: history, gastronomy, architecture, traditions, arts, festivals, sports… The municipality must be the driving force in this regard. But only the richness and diversity brought by the associative sector will enable the development of Niçoise culture.
The city hall must support these associations… without partisan ulterior motives!
Sian d’Aqui: Can we consider including a clause related to Niçoise identity in urban planning charters?
Hervé Caël: Yes, it is necessary to require that architectural projects in building permits respect the Niçoise style. It would not be out of place to start by preserving Nice’s heritage… The demolition of the Castel des Deux Rois—which had been unanimously voted by the current municipal council—to construct a refreshment stand, is shameful!
Sian d’Aqui: What are your proposals to promote and enhance Niçoise identity?
Hervé Caël: Promoting Niçoise identity should be a unifying theme among the associative and political actors of the city. Partisan recovery, or for less honorable purposes other than the valorization of Niçoise identity, should be condemned. Defending Niçoise identity should not equate to intolerance or acts of gratuitous violence.
The image of Nice in the rest of France must change. We have all noticed the smirk from our interlocutors during our travels, regarding the “people” from the south… Promoting and enhancing Niçoise identity plays a unifying role at the local level and in developing economic and tourist activities from outside.
The people of Nice, both by birth and by adoption, must reclaim their roots.
The cultural and historical heritage of Nice is rich. We plan to establish a major live show in Nice on the type of “Puy du fou”. Niçoise artists have projects in this regard. We are particularly in favor of Ben’s idea to create a major festival of Occitan music.
