The cultural event of Photography got cancelled.
2006 without the Transphotographiques.

A two line e-mail. Though the message is short, it's forceful: "No festival in 2006, see you in 2007".
This e-mail which was sent this week to the festival's newsletter subscribers came with a black strip with the years 2005, 2006 and 2007 written on it. The year 2006 was crossed out.

It doesn't take a genius to understand that the cultural event dedicated to photography will not take place this year. the photography lovers will be disappointed. Not to mention the Transphotographiques festival had gained a prestigious reputation.

The meeting place of the greatest photographers

When Willy RONIS became the president of the Festival in May 2001 for the first edition, Olivier SPILLEBOUT, the director, didn't conceal his ambition: his aim was to promote Photography toward as many people as possible: amateurs, enlightened photographers as well as professionals. And this, within the context of a festival which is to be a major cultural event on an international scale.

The director of the festival hit the bull's eye: the first edition was a success. In 2002, Sabine WEISS sponsored the second edition which was dedicated to Women. Things started to get really serious when the festival put Peter Lindbergh on the spotlight in 2003. In 2004 Lille became Europe's cultural capital: this year was a turning point for the festival. Sponsored by the Maison Européene de la photographie(European House of Photography), the festival received guests such as Bettina Rheims, Sebastio Saldago, William Klein!

Despite all this, Olivier Spillebout and his team did not intend to rest on their laurels. In 2005, They had the honour to receive Raymond Depardon. Financed by the city of Lille, the regional council and the urban community of Lille, the Transphotographiques have now not only gained a reputation in the Nord-pas-de-Calais but also beyond the frontiers. Having a look at the press reviews in France and from overseas gives a pretty good idea of how fasr the festival grew within a couple of years

Then, why in the world did the festival get cancelled? Olivier SPILLEBOUT said last year: "Bertrand de Talhouet, the new president, promises a very good collaboration for the future and for me, the founder of this festival".

Financial problems? Desire to become a biennial event? Right now, the Transphotographiques' officials don't say much. As of monday, Olivier Spillebout will explain us why the festival got cancelled.