PARIS, Oct 28 (Reuters) – Fifty-seven curators and museum directors from across the world—including Christophe Cherix of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and Michael Govan of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)—have signed an open letter expressing solidarity with the Louvre’s director, Laurence des Cars, after the shocking theft of the museum’s crown jewels that has captured international attention.

Published by Le Monde, the letter declares unwavering support for des Cars and the Louvre, calling the incident a painful reminder of the vulnerabilities shared by all cultural institutions.

“Our institutions are not immune to the world’s brutality. Today, they are facing increasingly violent acts. What happened to the Louvre is one of the greatest fears of museum professionals. Some of us have already experienced it. These risks weigh on each of our institutions. They weigh on each work of art from the moment it is exhibited,” the letter reads.

The signatories underscored that museums, while tasked with protecting priceless works, exist foremost to welcome the public and share humanity’s collective heritage.

“Museums are neither bastions nor safes. While creating a safe environment for art and its audiences, their raison d’être lies in their openness and accessibility,” the letter continues.

The theft, which remains under active investigation by French authorities, has reignited global debate about the balance between security and accessibility in the world’s top museums.

“The incident strikes at the very heart of what we do,” said one European curator who signed the letter. “Museums preserve and present humanity’s treasures, and any attack on them is an attack on culture itself.”

Among the prominent figures who signed the letter are Christophe Cherix (MoMA, New York), Nicholas Cullinan (British Museum, London), Taco Dibbits (Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam), Michael Govan (LACMA, Los Angeles), Max Hollein (The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York), Laurent Le Bon (Centre Pompidou, Paris), James Rondeau (Art Institute of Chicago), Sasha Suda (Philadelphia Museum of Art), and Mariët Westermann (Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation, New York).

Experts have emphasized that while enhanced security is necessary, the essence of museums lies in their accessibility. “The balance between protection and openness is what makes museums living spaces rather than vaults,” one art historian noted.

The Louvre has yet to release details on the recovery efforts or provide an estimate of the jewels’ value, but the heist has prompted renewed calls for international cooperation on cultural property protection.