Julien Berjeaut, pen name Jul, illustrated an 18th-century fairy tale for a school initiative, but his modern depictions led to controversy. Drawings showcased a father with Algerian features and addressed contemporary themes like alcohol and smartphone addiction. Education Minister Borne criticized the content as unsuitable for young readers, arguing it was more fitting for older students. Jul condemned the rejection as censorship and a political decision, suggesting that societal critiques found within the illustrations were misaligned with the book's educational purpose.
"It's a modern rewriting. We have a father coming from Algeria, who must have committed fraud and is stopped by police," Education Minister Elisabeth Borne said on Thursday.
"The only explanation seems to lie in disgust at seeing the culture of a people represented in a way that is not acceptable to some people," Jul stated, criticizing the censorship.
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