France : Dialogue of cultures and civilizations – the Branly museum

Situated on the banks of the Seine, the Musée of Quai Branly, designed by architect Jean Nouvel, exhibits 3500 objects from a collection of almost 30000 items. The four main continental ?zones?, excepting Europe, are represented. Supported and inaugurated on 20th last june by Jacques Chirac, President of the Republic, the museum offers a 500-seat theatre, a screening room, several class-rooms, a reading room, a multi-media library and a 800 m2 garden with 15000 plants including 150 species from the entire world. Conceived as a forum for scientific and artistic dialogue, this new and multifaceted institution aims “to render the depth and complexity of the arts and civilizations of all those continents”, said Jacques Chirac. Much more than a museum, “it seeks to encourage a different ? more open and respectful ? view in the broadest possible audience, by dispelling the mists of ignorance, condescension and arrogance that were so often found in the past and bred mistrust, scorn and rejection” according to the speech of the French President. Lastly, the “Université populaire du quai Branly”, accessible to all, will open the debate on historic and contemporary challenges, and encourage dialogue on issues related to ?the Other? through its series of lectures. www.diplomatie.gouv.fr