A section of employees at the French Louvre museum extended their strike on Monday, which they began in mid-December, demanding improved working conditions.
A union source indicated that the world’s most visited museum will remain partially open, with priority given to the masterpieces section, such as the Mona Lisa painting and the Venus de Milo statue. The official website noted potential disruptions to opening hours and the possibility of some halls remaining closed.
The unionist explained that “the number of striking employees is not sufficient” to close the museum entirely, as has happened four times since the movement began.
300 employees agree to continue the strike
More than 300 employees voted unanimously on Monday morning to continue the strike, protesting staff shortages and wage disparities with other employees in the Ministry of Culture, according to a union statement.
In mid-January, the Louvre estimated the museum’s lost revenue due to this strike to be at least one million euros.
– <a>Louvre Museum closes again after employees renew their strike
This demand-driven action, one of the longest in the Louvre’s history, comes at a time when the museum is still suffering the effects of the stunning robbery it experienced on October 19, during which 19th-century treasures valued at 88 million euros were stolen and have not yet been recovered.
Louvre
The Louvre in Paris is a historic monument and the world’s largest art museum, originally constructed as a fortress in the late 12th century before becoming a royal palace. It opened as a public museum in 1793 following the French Revolution and now houses iconic works like the *Mona Lisa* and the *Venus de Milo*.
Mona Lisa
The Mona Lisa is a renowned 16th-century portrait painted by Leonardo da Vinci, celebrated for its subject’s enigmatic expression and innovative artistic techniques. It is housed in the Louvre Museum in Paris, having been acquired by King Francis I of France and becoming an iconic symbol of the Renaissance.
Venus de Milo
The Venus de Milo is an ancient Greek marble statue depicting Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, created between 130 and 100 BCE. It was discovered in 1820 on the island of Milos and has been prominently displayed at the Louvre Museum in Paris since 1821, celebrated for its classical beauty despite its missing arms.
Ministry of Culture
The Ministry of Culture is a governmental department responsible for overseeing and promoting a nation’s cultural policies, heritage, and arts. Its establishment as a formal ministry is a modern development, often in the 20th or 21st century, reflecting the growing state recognition of culture as a vital national asset. Its history typically involves consolidating various cultural agencies and evolving to address contemporary issues like cultural preservation, funding for the arts, and cultural diplomacy.
