We, museum directors and professionals from around the world, are writing to express our solidarity following the theft committed at the Louvre Museum on October 19, 2025.
This act has shaken us to the core. Our institutions are not shielded from the world’s brutality. Today, they face unprecedented attacks. The event that occurred last Sunday is what all museum professionals dread: The robbery of the common heritage we strive to preserve and share as widely as possible. For some of us, it recalls painful memories. Such risks threaten every institution. They weigh upon every artwork from the moment it is publicly displayed.
Museums are places of transmission and wonder. They offer all visitors opportunities for contemplation and moments of joy. They allow us to learn from the past, to deepen our understanding of the present and to weave meaningful dialogues with the masterpieces they show. Museums allow us to see the world differently.
Museums are not strongholds nor are they secret vaults. Their essence while creating the safest environment for art and its audiences lies in their openness and accessibility.
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