The double theme of trouble-f\u00eate<\/em> (party pooper) and killjoy<\/em> seemed the perfect locus for this kind of event. From a citizen perspective, we assert a critical stance against the multiplication of celebrations that tend to get lost in increasingly trivial considerations; as a cultural \u00adorganization, we proclaim our indignation concerning the withdrawal of state funding in \u00adculture. As a publisher, what we want the most is to open our pages to \u00adcommitted texts exploring the meaning of celebration. For this \u00adreason we\u2019ve brought together eleven authors whose writing we particularly \u00adappreciate. Some are faithful friends and contributors to the magazine, while others are first-timers. They have been invited to consider the theme not only of celebration, but also of commemoration, which is often inherent to anniversaries. In these essays, celebration is at times analyzed for its unifying potential, at times for its deceptiveness. Among others, it has a critical power that numerous artists have decided to exploit, while others prefer reactivating the festive in art\u2014celebration for celebration\u2019s sake. Different forms of commemoration are also studied, critiquing in passing the duty to remember that sometimes tends to make the present seem better. The resulting works and actions\u2014re-enactments, transient memorials, spontaneous monuments or anti-monuments\u2014testify to the multiplicity of forms possible and foreground some attempts at \u00adpreserving memory through the use of the monument\u2014a \u00adpractice we thought worth questioning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are also publishing an impressive portfolio bringing together fourteen artists whose twenty works are particularly in synch with the theme, be it by the various codes of celebration they employ, a \u00adcommemorative impact that evokes the monument or anti-monument, or a critical or ironic approach using killjoy strategies. Also, Michel F. (T.) C\u00f4t\u00e9, who has always accepted the challenge of basing his \u201cAffaire de zouave\u201d column on our chosen themes, proposes five tried-and-true killjoy rules. Once a killjoy, always a killjoy\u2014that\u2019s the esse<\/em> spirit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But let\u2019s be frank. Beyond its deliberately ironic and provoking title and its diverse critical expressions, Trouble-f\u00eate\/Killjoy<\/em> still \u00adunderscores esse<\/em>\u2019s lasting presence on the artistic scene. After all, this 25th \u00adanniversary also acknowledges our enduring involvement in contemporary art, which would not have had the same impact without the support of our financial partners and, most importantly, of our readers. We also owe the evolution of our magazine through the years to our numerous \u00adcontributors who have ensured its success, be it by participating in one issue, for one year, a decade or two. We sincerely thank you all.<\/p>\n