Emmanuel Kasarhérou, president of the Musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac, reflects on the museum's 20th anniversary in June 2026. He discusses the institution's founding vision to move beyond traditional ethnographic museums, its iconic architecture by Jean Nouvel, and the evolution of its relationship with the Louvre's Pavillon des Sessions, which became the Galerie des Cinq Continents. Kasarhérou also addresses geopolitical changes, the destruction of cultural heritage, and the museum's efforts to build international partnerships, particularly with countries of origin for its collections, such as Mali.
This interview matters because it offers a rare, insider perspective on how a major Parisian museum is navigating contemporary challenges—decolonization, generational shifts among curators, and global cultural dialogue. Kasarhérou's emphasis on being "attentive and respectful observers" of world changes signals a broader institutional shift toward humility and collaboration, which could influence how museums worldwide approach non-Western art and heritage.