The Gaîté Lyrique theatre, a cultural venue in Paris, is on the brink of bankruptcy after an unforeseen occupation by over 250 African migrants who attended a complimentary conference on refugees last month.

The event, titled 'Reinventing the welcome for refugees in France,' took place on December 10 and drew in activists, academics, Red Cross officials, and migrants, many from France's former West African colonies.

Nevertheless, after the event ended, the migrants refused to vacate the premises, and the occupation has persisted for more than five weeks.

Renowned for its radical and avant-garde exhibitions, the theatre has had to cancel all shows until at least January 24, as it cannot earn revenue from ticket sales during the occupation.

The theatre’s management has voiced concerns about worsening sanitary conditions and the increasing number of migrants seeking refuge at the venue, now estimated to be about 300.

In a statement, the theatre acknowledged the challenging situation and stressed that it could not evict the migrants, especially in winter, but appealed to local authorities to provide alternative accommodation.

Despite assertions from Paris’s Socialist-led city council that housing for the migrants is unavailable, the French government under President Emmanuel Macron has hesitated to get involved.

The financial impact on Gaîté Lyrique has been profound.

The theatre, which depends on ticket sales for 70 percent of its revenue, has seen its income plummet, and the cancellation of private and public events is thought to have caused several hundred thousand euros in losses.

Local businesses have also been hit hard, with nearby venues, including a popular bistrot, reporting considerable drops in revenue.

Elia, a business manager with family roots in Algeria, expressed frustration over the situation, highlighting disruptions and a decline in customers due to the occupation.

The migrants engaged in the occupation, claiming to be under 18, would typically be considered unaccompanied minors eligible for housing and support from local authorities.

However, regional officials assert that most are adults who were living on the streets before occupying the theatre.

The protest group behind the occupation, Collectif des Jeunes du Parc de Belleville, denounces the age test as discriminatory, framing the action as part of their broader antiracist and anticolonial struggle.

The occupation underscores the ongoing tensions surrounding migration in France, where Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau has pledged a tough stance on illegal migration.

Since November, France has tightened border controls with its Schengen neighbors, citing security concerns, including potential infiltration of radical individuals.

The situation at Gaîté Lyrique highlights the complex intersection of migration, public policy, and the cultural sector in France as authorities and activists manage the ongoing crisis.