World's most-visited Louvre Museum faces unexpected forced closure: Details
The Louvre Pyramid designed by Chinese-born US architect Ieoh Ming Pei in Paris as the Louvre museum reopens its doors to the public after more than 6 months of closure due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in France, May 19, 2021. PHOTO: REUTERS
A spontaneous strike at the Louvre Museum on Monday caused the world's most-visited museum to close, as workers protested overcrowding and what they described as 'untenable' working conditions.
Frustrated by the overwhelming number of visitors and chronic understaffing, staff members, including gallery attendants, ticket agents, and security personnel, walked off the job, halting operations for most of the day.
Visitors, many holding tickets in hand, were left stranded and confused, with long lines forming beneath the iconic glass pyramid. 'It's the Mona Lisa moan out here,' said Kevin Ward, a tourist from Milwaukee. 'Thousands of people waiting, no communication, no explanation. I guess even she needs a day off.' The Louvre has long struggled with overtourism, and this latest disruption highlights the severe pressure the institution faces due to its immense popularity.
This strike, while rare, follows similar walkouts in 2019 and 2013, with workers citing overcrowding and safety concerns. The Louvre, however, has never shut down so unexpectedly, in full view of visitors. The protest also coincides with President Emmanuel Macron's recent announcement of a comprehensive 10-year renovation plan for the museum. The 'Louvre New Renaissance' blueprint, which aims to address issues such as water leaks, temperature fluctuations, and overcrowding, has yet to address the workers' immediate concerns. Staff members, such as Sarah Sefian from the CGT-Culture union, have expressed frustration with the delay, stating, 'We can't wait six years for help. Our teams are under pressure now.'
The strike centered on the overcrowding at the museum, particularly around the Mona Lisa, where around 20,000 visitors daily crowd into the Salle des États to view the famous painting. The scene has often become chaotic, with many visitors focused more on taking photos than appreciating the artwork. In response, Macron's renovation plan promises a dedicated room for the Mona Lisa, accessible via timed-entry tickets.
Despite these plans, Louvre workers are concerned that the museum's ongoing issues are being neglected while visitor numbers continue to soar. The strike serves as a loud reminder of the pressures faced by the museum, whose infrastructure was not designed to accommodate such high foot traffic. Last year, the Louvre welcomed 8.7 million visitors, far exceeding its capacity. As the museum navigates these challenges, workers continue to demand immediate action to address their working conditions, rather than waiting for the proposed long-term solutions.
The Louvre's closure on Monday was temporary, with some workers agreeing to open a limited 'masterpiece route' later in the day. The full museum is expected to reopen by Wednesday, though Tuesday is a scheduled closure.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
Going loco for Labubu
The viral dolls are said to be quirky, ugly, and inclusive. Photo: AFP Small, fuzzy and baring sharp teeth, Chinese toymaker Pop Mart's Labubu monster dolls have taken over the world, drawing excited crowds at international stores and adorning the handbags of celebrities such as Rihanna and Cher. Beijing-based Pop Mart is part of a rising tide of Chinese cultural exports gaining traction abroad, furry ambassadors of a "cool" China even in places associated more with negative public opinion of Beijing such as Europe and North America. Labubus, which typically sell for around $40, are released in limited quantities and sold in "blind boxes", meaning buyers don't know the exact model they will receive. The dolls are "a bit quirky and ugly and very inclusive, so people can relate", interior designer Lucy Shitova told AFP at a Pop Mart store in London, where in-person sales of Labubus have been suspended over fears that fans could turn violent in their quest for the toys. "Now everything goes viral... because of social media. And yes, it's cool. It's different." While neighbouring East Asian countries South Korea and Japan are globally recognised for their high-end fashion, cinema and pop songs, China's heavily censored film and music industry have struggled to attract international audiences, and the country's best-known clothing exporter is fast-fashion website Shein. There have been few success stories of Chinese companies selling upmarket goods under their own brands, faced with stereotypes of cheap and low-quality products. "It has been hard for the world's consumers to perceive China as a brand-creating nation," the University of Maryland's Fan Yang told AFP. Pop Mart has bucked the trend, spawning copycats dubbed by social media users as "lafufus" and detailed YouTube videos on how to verify a doll's authenticity. Brands such as designer womenswear label Shushu/Tong, Shanghai-based Marchen and Beijing-based handbag maker Songmont have also gained recognition abroad over the past few years. "It might just be a matter of time before even more Chinese brands become globally recognisable," Yang said. TikTok effect Through viral exports like Labubu, China is "undergoing a soft-power shift where its products and image are increasingly cool among young Westerners," said Allison Malmsten, an analyst at China-based Daxue Consulting. Malmsten said she believed social media could boost China's global image "similar to that of Japan in the 80s to 2010s with Pokemon and Nintendo". Video app TikTok — designed by China's ByteDance — paved the way for Labubu's ascent when it became the first Chinese-branded product to be indispensable for young people internationally. Joshua Kurlantzick from the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) told AFP that "TikTok probably played a role in changing consumers' minds about China". TikTok, which is officially blocked within China but still accessible with VPN software, has over one billion users, including what the company says is nearly half of the US population. The app has become a focus of national security fears in the United States, with a proposed ban seeing American TikTok users flock to another Chinese app, Rednote, where they were welcomed as digital "refugees". A conduit for Chinese social media memes and fashion trends, TikTok hosts over 1.7 million videos about Labubu. Labubumania Cultural exports can "improve the image of China as a place that has companies that can produce globally attractive goods or services", CFR's Kurlantzick told AFP. "I don't know how much, if at all, this impacts images of China's state or government," he said, pointing to how South Korea's undeniable soft power has not translated into similar levels of political might. While plush toys alone might not translate into actual power, the United States' chaotic global image under the Trump presidency could benefit perceptions of China, the University of Maryland's Yang said. "The connection many make between the seeming decline of US soft power and the potential rise in China's global image may reflect how deeply intertwined the two countries are in the minds of people whose lives are impacted by both simultaneously," she told AFP. At the very least, Labubu's charms appear to be promoting interest in China among the younger generation. "It's like a virus. Everyone just wants it," Kazakhstani mother-of-three Anelya Batalova told AFP at Pop Mart's theme park in Beijing. Qatari Maryam Hammadi, 11, posed for photos in front of a giant Labubu statue. "In our country, they love Labubu," she said. "So, when they realise that the origin of Labubu is in China, they'd like to come to see the different types of Labubu in China."
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
Mexico's Chicano style meets Japan's Harajuku
Blended style is also known as Chicanjuku. Photo: Reuters In a leafy park in Mexico City, beside colonial era fountains and food stands, Italia Segovia's designs are turning heads, as usual. A pink ruffled dress with white lace and big bow; a high-school vibe tartan dress tied with a pale yellow shawl imprinted with Mexico's patron saint the Virgin of Guadalupe, all accentuated with loud heavy makeup. Segovia, known to her friends as Kumiko, calls her work Chicanjuku: a fusion of Mexican-American Chicano culture and Japanese Harajuku style, named after the Tokyo district renowned for its bright colored accessories, outlandish makeup, and elaborate hairstyles. "It's like a food blender of styles," Segovia said of her designs, which have also become a core part of her identity. Chicano style was popularised by Mexican-Americans in the US who felt out of place in both countries because of their mixed backgrounds, said Segovia. Though she is not Mexican-American, she has several relatives in the US who inspired her deep love for the style she now draws from. Segovia, who has almost 30 thousand followers on Instagram, mashes the oversize shirts, khakis and flat brim caps analogous to Chicano culture with the candy-floss fairy-tale pop of Harajuku. The makeup might include dark lining around the lips and eyeliner that emulates Japanese Geisha style. "You can always experiment with fashion and art as long as it's from a place of knowledge and respect," Segovia said. Segovia's distinctive aesthetic has even caught the eye of admirers in Japan. In June, she made special outfits for three Japanese E-Queens, a subculture of electronic music dancers, who she connected with months earlier online. The group met up in Mexico City for a photo shoot and street dance, dressed in Segovia's outfits. "I love how she uses texture," said Shirendev Oyun-Erdenen, a Japanese E-Queen who dances under the name Maaya the Bee. "Helping people feel free to experiment and not be afraid. That's what it's all about," Segovia said. Reuters
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Express Tribune
Michelle Obama jokes she's glad she didn't have a son: 'He'd be a Barack'
US President Barack Obama gestures to himself as he and First Lady Michelle Obama await the arrival of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Madame Peng Liyuan, for a State Dinner at the White House, in Washington, September 25, 2015. PHOTO: REUTERS Former First Lady Michelle Obama sparked headlines during a candid conversation on the latest episode of her podcast 'IMO,' joking that she's 'glad' she didn't have a son — because he would have turned out just like her husband, Barack Obama. Speaking with her brother Craig Robinson and guest Angie Martinez, Obama said, 'I'm so glad I didn't have a boy. Because he would have been a Barack Obama. Ooh,' while shaking her head and smiling. Martinez laughed off the comment, calling the idea of a 'Baby Barack' amazing, but Michelle added, 'No, I woulda felt for him.' The conversation centered around parenting boys, with both Martinez and Robinson being parents to sons. Michelle, mother of Sasha and Malia, discussed the complexities of raising boys today, especially when it comes to teaching them how to communicate in relationships and navigate situations like traffic stops. Her comments come amid ongoing speculation about her 32-year marriage to the former president, with recent public appearances fueling rumors of strain. However, Michelle praised Barack's parenting in a recent episode with Bruce Springsteen, calling him a 'tremendous father.' The couple has been seen together in recent months on high-profile date nights in New York City and Washington, D.C., despite persistent divorce rumors. Michelle also revealed she's currently in therapy and is 'transitioning' into a new phase of her life. The 'Becoming' author's remarks blend humor with introspection, offering insight into her evolving identity as a mother, wife, and public figure.
