By Biserka Gramatikova
The whole world is waiting for the Olympic Games in Paris, which are scheduled to take place from July 26 to August 11 this year. The French capital is preparing to welcome more tourists than ever – a mix of sports lovers and culture connoisseurs. At the same time, for the first time in 6 years, the Louvre raised the price of the entrance ticket.
The museum’s annual financial report showed that revenue from ticket sales at the Louvre for the past year amounted to 76.5 million euros. This covers only a quarter of the operating costs, the rest being financed by the Ministry of Culture and other sources, including sponsors.
The museum team emphasized that more than half of French visitors enter for free, as entry is free for people under 25, the unemployed, the socially disadvantaged, the disabled and their guardians, teachers, cultural specialists and journalists.
The director of the Louvre, Laurence de Carre, said that 80% of visitors to the museum come to see the “Mona Lisa” and take pictures with her. That is why the Louvre foresees another change – the masterpiece of Leonardo da Vinci, which is now located in the most spacious hall of the museum, will be exhibited in a separate room.
Regarding the upcoming World Olympics, Laurent de Carre states that the Louvre is proud to be associated with the Olympic Games in Paris 2024. On this occasion, the museum will encourage the dialogue between sport and art with special events.
A thematic exhibition will present the development of the Olympic movement from Greek antiquity to the present day.
Visitors will discover how and in what political context the first modern Olympic Games came into being in the late 19th century, the iconographic sources on which they were based, and how the organizers set out to recreate the sporting competitions of ancient Greece.
The museum is also planning something surprising – sports training, dance and yoga sessions in the gallery spaces. These events will be part of the city program accompanying the Olympic Games. An amazing chance to exercise surrounded by masterpieces of fine art and sculpture.
Details of the special sessions and the museum’s new Olympics-themed exhibition are available on its website.
Illustrative Photo by Silvia Trigo: https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-the-louvre-museum-in-paris-france-2675266/
