Fifty-seven curators and museum directors, including Christophe Cherix of MoMA and Michael Govan of LACMA, signed an open letter published by Le Monde expressing solidarity with Louvre director Laurence des Cars following the theft of the museum's crown jewels. The letter emphasizes that museums are not immune to global violence and that such thefts represent a profound fear for museum professionals, while reaffirming that museums must remain open and accessible despite security risks.
This incident matters because it highlights the ongoing tension between museum security and public accessibility, a core challenge for cultural institutions worldwide. The broad international support from top museum leaders underscores the shared vulnerability of museums to theft and the collective commitment to preserving their mission of sharing humanity's heritage, even in the face of increasingly violent acts.