Festival d'Avignon Delegated Director Departs Amidst Allegations
Festival d'Avignon's second-in-command, Pierre Gendronneau, steps down following allegations of sexual misconduct in a past position.
Pierre Gendronneau is bidding adieu to his position as the Festival d'Avignon's delegated director, effective June 13, following allegations of sexual violence and sexism in another organization, as announced by the festival's director, Tiago Rodrigues, on April 20.
"We've informed our Festival team today about Pierre Gendronneau's departure from his delegated director position, due to personal reasons and his pursuit of other professional opportunities," Rodrigues informed Agence France-Presse, confirming results from Télérama. This departure was a mutual agreement, he stressed, without confirming the details. Gendronneau was inducted in February 2023.
In-house investigations were carried out by Egaé, a specialized firm, led by Caroline De Haas, from November to December. " Independent lawyers, consulted by the Festival, concluded that the investigation did not disclose any proven cases of harassment or violence by Pierre Gendronneau during his tenure at the Festival," Tiago Rodrigues emphasized.
Complaints about Gendronneau were forwarded to the Ministry of Culture, prompting Article 40 of the Code of Criminal Procedure and the involvement of the Public Prosecutor for legal follow-up. The Festival was informed of these complaints at the beginning of November, Rodrigues explained, and responded by launching this internal investigation within "two days."
Investigations Across Festivals
Post-Egaé's examination, Gendronneau continued in his post, but the lingering suspicions due to prior accusations made it challenging for him to perform his duties effectively. Rodrigues stated, "The fact that there were earlier accusations against him before joining the Festival d'Avignon, and subsequent investigations, created an environment clouded in doubt around him."
The Festival d'Automne à Paris, where Gendronneau had served as a director's assistant, confirmed to AFP that the Egaé firm was also tasked with conducting an investigation. "Approximately two years after his departure, in the autumn of 2024, I was informed by an employee who claimed to have been a victim of sexual harassment by Pierre Gendronneau," Demarcy-Motta detailed to Agence France-Presse.
"A complaint was made to the Ministry. I requested discussions with all members of the Festival team, and we set up a procedure to reach a diagnosis. However, since Pierre Gendronneau is no longer an employee, there cannot be any contradictions or possible sanctions within the Festival d'Automne," he added.
Before 2023, Pierre Gendronneau held control over production at the Scène nationale de Sénart and served as the director of production at the Centre dramatique national de Montreuil. The 79th edition of the Festival d'Avignon is scheduled from July 5 to 26, 2025.
Refer to | Article The Festival d'Avignon 2025 Reveals its Program: "Together" to Seek New Forms of a World in Crisis for more details on the upcoming festival.
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- The resignation of Pierre Gendronneau from his role as delegated director of Festival d'Avignon, effective June 13, stems from allegations of sexual violence and sexism in another organization.
- Tiago Rodrigues, the festival's director, has confirmed the departure, citing personal reasons and other professional opportunities, without revealing the details.
- The accusations against Gendronneau were severe enough to have prompted investigations, first by Egaé, a specialized firm, and then by the Ministry of Culture, leading to involvement of the Public Prosecutor for legal follow-up.
- The 79th edition of the Festival d'Avignon, scheduled for July 5 to 26, 2025, will take place despite the scandal surrounding Gendronneau's departure.
