Angoulême, France, rebuilds its identity and economy after deindustrialization

What is it about?

Angoulême, France, was once an industrial city, known for its paper industry. Since this industry has largely died out, the city has found a way to rebuild its identity and economy around cultural activities related to paper, including comics (the bande dessinée) and image production.

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Why is it important?

My analysis offers an alternative to postindustrial cities where a longing for the ways things once supposedly were has led to a rise of reactionary politics. The story of angoulême shows how a city’s past can help it to secure a more promising present and future.