One of Europe’s most treasured cultural artifacts, the nearly 1,000-year-old Bayeux Tapestry, is set to cross the Channel for a historic display at the British Museum next year — a gesture of Franco-British goodwill that has sparked both excitement and concern. Despite warnings from heritage experts about the risks of moving the fragile 11th-century masterpiece, French officials insist the loan can be carried out safely, paving the way for what the British Museum expects to be one of its most popular exhibitions ever.
French President Emmanuel Macron's office stressed Monday that the planned loan of the nearly 1,000-year-old Bayeux Tapestry to Britain next year was a surmountable challenge following expert outcry over the diplomatic gesture.
Several heritage advisors have argued that the extremely fragile 11th-century masterpiece depicting the Norman conquest of England in 1066 is too delicate to be transported to Britain and could suffer irreversible damage.
"Today, there is nothing to suggest that the technical challenge to be addressed is impossible to overcome," Philippe Belaval, Macron's aide in charge of the project, told journalists during a briefing.
The 68-metre-long (224-foot-long) tapestry was transported for the first time in more than 40 years last Thursday when it moved from its home museum in Bayeux in northern France to a secret storage location.
"The operation that took place last week demonstrates that it can be done, and that if all necessary precautions are taken, the loan can be carried out in a proper manner," Belaval added.
The tapestry is set to be displayed in the British Museum in London in June or July next year.
Although the transfer was suggested by Macron as a gesture of goodwill towards Britain, the UK will pick up the tab, Belaval added.
"This is an operation... that costs French taxpayers nothing," he said.
The British Museum in London said it expects the display to be "one of our most popular exhibitions ever".
With AFP
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