57 Museum Directors Worldwide Support the Louvre: "All Institutions Face the Threat of Theft"

Louvre Museum in France Robbed by Four-Person Gang
57 Institutions Including MoMA Issue Joint Statement of Solidarity
"Efforts to Share Humanity's Common Heritage Under Attack"

Amid ongoing controversy over the theft of eight jewels by robbers from the Louvre Museum in France, museum directors from around the world have expressed solidarity with the director of the Louvre. According to Yonhap News, on the 27th (local time), the directors of 57 institutions worldwide-including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the British Museum, the Borghese Gallery in Italy, and the Van Gogh Museum in the Netherlands-voiced their support for Laurence Des Cars, Director of the Louvre, in a joint op-ed published in the French daily Le Monde.

Laurence Des Cars, Director of the Louvre Museum, attending the current issues inquiry held at the French Senate on the 22nd. Photo by AP Yonhap News

They stated, "Our institutions are not free from the cruelty of the world. Today, we are increasingly confronted with acts of violence," adding, "What happened at the Louvre Museum is one of the things museum professionals fear the most." They further emphasized, "Such risks lurk at every institution," and, "From the moment a piece is displayed, that risk hangs over each and every artwork."

They continued, "Museums are spaces where knowledge and inspiration are conveyed, offering visitors moments of joy and reflection. They are places where people can learn from the past, shed light on the present, and deeply engage with the masterpieces in their collections," stressing, "A museum is neither a fortress nor a vault. While creating a safe environment for art and visitors, museums find their purpose in openness and accessibility."

Additionally, they stated, "This theft was not just an attack on the Louvre Museum, but an attack on the very mission of museums-to share humanity's common heritage with as many people as possible," and added, "We extend our heartfelt support to our colleagues facing hardship and to Director Des Cars."

On the 27th, the security near the Louvre Museum was tight. Photo by AP Yonhap News

Earlier, on the morning of the 19th, a group of four suspected thieves reportedly parked a ladder truck outside the Louvre Museum along the Seine River in Paris, broke into the Apollo Gallery on the second floor, and stole eight royal treasures before fleeing. The Paris prosecutor's office estimated the total value of the stolen jewels at approximately 140 billion won (about 100 million USD). However, since the loot included a royal jewelry set, many have assessed that the historical loss far outweighs the economic damage. Two suspects, who were allegedly planning to flee abroad, were apprehended by authorities on the night of the 25th, but are reportedly exercising their right to remain silent. The whereabouts of the stolen jewels remain unknown.

Director Des Cars submitted her resignation to the cabinet on the day of the incident, but it was reportedly rejected by the Minister of Culture. On the 22nd, she attended a current issues inquiry at the Senate, where she stated, "There is a need to adjust our existing security systems to address new types of attacks and unforeseen methods," and revealed, "There is a chronic lack of investment in the museum's equipment and infrastructure."

The Louvre Museum union is also calling for budget allocations to prevent future incidents, rather than the resignation of the director. In a joint statement on the 21st, the union said, "This tragic event serves as a reminder that the protection of national heritage must not rely on a system weakened by budget cuts and staff shortages."