Iran to put Louvre antiques on display

A number of antique pieces from the Louvre Museum have been set to be displayed in Iran after signing an agreement between cultural officials from Iran and the prestigious French museum.

The Louvre Museum is set to display a number of antique pieces from various historical eras in Iran, Deputy Head of Iran’s Cultural Heritage Organization Mohammad-Hassan Talebian said on January 18.

He also noted “This is in line with an agreement inked between Iran’s National Museum and the Louvre last April. The exact date and other details for the exhibition have not been decided yet, but I suppose it will be arranged for sometime in March.”

Officials from Iran and the Louvre signed a historical agreement to renew cultural and scientific cooperation back in January during President Hassan Rouhani’s visit to France.

The agreement consists of contracts to exchange exhibitions, publications, scientific visits as well as training sessions, and joint archeological explorations.

“First an exhibition will be arranged in Iran and then we will send some pieces to France to go on display there. Since the Louvre has agreed to pay all the expenses, there is no concern regarding the insurance,” Talebian added.

He went on to say “If we did not have any insurance issues to showcase historical pieces of other countries, they would all be eagerly interested in arranging a show in Iran.”

Director of the National Museum of Iran Gabriel Nokandeh also noted that about 24 pieces from the Louvre will be selected from various cultures such as Greece, Egypt, and Mesopotamia to go on display in Tehran.

MG/HY