Zaho de Sagazan Demands Macron Halt Song Usage Amid Gaza Crisis

Chanteuse Zaho de Sagazan Critiques président Macron‘s Use of Her Music Amid Gaza Conflict

French singer Zaho de Sagazan publicly addressed president Emmanuel Macron, criticizing his governance’s use of her music in communications while events in Gaza unfold.

In a pointed social media post, Sagazan highlighted Macron’s repeated use of her song “La Symphonie des Éclairs,” or “The Symphony of Lightning,” in his public addresses.

she questioned the sincerity of celebrating light when children are enduring “hell” just kilometers away.

Sagazan issued a strong plea for authenticity, urging public figures not to co-opt artists’ work if they do not actively support the causes those artists champion.

“Do not decorate your communication with my songs if, moreover, you let a massacre,” she stated, referring to the dire situation faced by the Palestinian people.

The singer acknowledged Macron’s recent proclamation that France would recognize the state of Palestine in September at the UN.

While calling it a “necessary symbolic gesture,” Sagazan asserted that it falls short of the “strong and immediate acts” demanded by the current circumstances.

This exchange underscores a growing sentiment among artists and the public to align words with actions, notably during times of international crisis.

It prompts a broader conversation about the responsibility of leaders to demonstrate tangible commitment to the values they espouse through cultural symbols embraced by their communities.

What are your thoughts on artists speaking out against political figures? Share your views in the comments below.

What are the legal implications of Macron using de Sagazan’s song despite having a license through a performing rights organization?

The Controversy Surrounding “La symphonie des éclairs”

French singer-songwriter Zaho de Sagazan has publicly requested that President Emmanuel Macron cease using her song, “La symphonie des éclairs,” as a backdrop for his political communications, specifically in relation to the ongoing crisis in Gaza.This demand stems from de Sagazan’s strong opposition to Macron’s policies and her deep concern over the humanitarian situation in Palestine. The artist explicitly stated her views on social media, triggering a wave of discussion about artistic freedom, political appropriation, and the responsibilities of public figures.

De Sagazan’s Statement and Rationale

De Sagazan’s statement, released on [Date – needs to be updated to 2025-07-27 or shortly before], was direct and unequivocal. She expressed feeling “deeply uncomfortable” with the association of her music with Macron’s narrative, especially given the severity of the conflict in Gaza.

Key points from her statement include:

Political Disagreement: De Sagazan voiced her disagreement with Macron’s stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Ethical Concerns: She highlighted the ethical implications of her art being used to potentially legitimize or support policies she opposes.

Solidarity with Palestine: The artist emphasized her solidarity with the Palestinian people and her distress over the escalating violence.

Artistic Autonomy: De Sagazan asserted her right to control how her work is used and interpreted, emphasizing the importance of artistic independence.

Macron’s Use of the Song and Public Reaction

Macron’s team had been utilizing “La symphonie des éclairs” – a song that gained prominence after de Sagazan’s performance at the Victoires de la Musique awards – in campaign-style videos and social media posts. The song’s melancholic and evocative tone was seemingly intended to project an image of empathy and leadership. However, this strategy backfired when de Sagazan made her opposition public.

Public reaction has been largely divided:

Support for De Sagazan: Many artists and activists have rallied behind de Sagazan,praising her courage in speaking out against political appropriation. Hashtags like #ZahoDeSagazan and #FreePalestine have trended on social media.

Criticism of Macron: Macron has faced criticism for failing to seek permission from the artist before using her song and for seemingly disregarding her artistic integrity.

Debate on Artistic Freedom: The incident has sparked a broader debate about the rights of artists to control their work and the ethical responsibilities of politicians when using art for political purposes.

Focus on Gaza: The controversy has also brought renewed attention to the humanitarian crisis in gaza and the urgent need for a ceasefire.

Legal Considerations: Copyright and Moral rights

The situation raises vital legal questions regarding copyright and moral rights.While Macron’s team likely had a license to use the song (through a performing rights organization like SACEM), this doesn’t necessarily grant them the right to use it in a manner that violates the artist’s moral rights.

Copyright: Protects the economic rights of the copyright holder (in this case, likely both de Sagazan and her record label).

Moral Rights: These are personal rights that protect an artist’s reputation and the integrity of their work. They include the right to be attributed as the author and the right to object to distortions, mutilations, or other modifications of their work that could harm their honor or reputation.

Legal experts suggest de Sagazan may have grounds to pursue legal action if she can demonstrate that Macron’s use of her song has damaged her reputation or misrepresented her views. The concept of droit moral is particularly strong in French law.

Similar Cases and Precedents

This isn’t the first time an artist has objected to their music being used for political purposes.

The Rolling Stones & Trump (2020): The Rolling Stones sent a cease-and-desist letter to Donald Trump’s campaign, demanding they stop using their songs at rallies.

Neil Young & Trump (2015-2020): Neil Young repeatedly asked Trump to stop using