Louvre Art To Arabs

A storm is raging in France over the government's decision to build a branch of the Louvre in an Arab Gulf state - the first-ever foreign annex of the world-famous art gallery. The controversy is not over public spending on culture - French taxpayers think nothing of subsidising films to the tune of £350m. The row centres on the fact that France stands to make money from the art deal, which was signed in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. A good deal of money, in fact. Abu Dhabi - the capital of the United Arab Emirates - will pay hundreds of millions of euros over 30 years for the privilege of displaying art works from French museums. The oil-rich emirate will pay £272m just for the Louvre name. The first payment, 150m euros, will be made within a month, says French news agency AFP. This, according to critics, amounts to using France's artistic heritage for basely commercial ends. "Our museums are not for sale", proclaims an online petition signed by 4,700 people - including many curators, art historians, and archaeologists. (For full source and article click the Headline) Irish Art