Petitioners' call to go on with Ariston

Source: ​https://www.wort.lu/en/culture/esch-sur-alzette-petitioners-call-to-go-on-with-ariston-57441a88ac730ff4e7f60da2
​Published on Tuesday, 24 May, 2016 at 11:10
(JB) Two artists have launched a petition to save a 50-year-old cinema in Esch-sur-Alzette and transform it into a community centre.
Generations of cinema viewers have enjoyed films at the Ariston cinema, which first opened in 1962 thanks to funds raised by the Sacred Heart parish works.
Following its closure, it was expected that the cinema, which remains in the hands of the parish works, would be sold to a commercial entity. 
But, filmmaker Adolf El Assal and photographer Paulo Lobo hope to change that.
“We are convinced that the Ariston has much greater role for the public good than as a tool to make money. This theatre can exist not only as memory and piece of heritage, but also as a meeting place, for sharing and discovering new things,” the pair said in a joint statement. 

The campaigners believe that by preserving this legacy, it can provide a platform for educational and social programmes for artists, film fans and citizens in general. 
The pair began their campaign to save the venue by launching the Facebook group “Sauvons le Ciné Ariston” six months ago. The petition is the latest part of that campaign.
Esch Culture Councillor Jean Tonnar said that the city was still interested in the cinema. On Thursday, the lay council is expected to discuss the venue's future. 
To sign the petition or find out more, visit www.change.org