IN THE SPOTLIGHT
a more important role as of the last few years,” Jack Lang, an influential former French culture minister who now heads the Arab World Institute in Paris, said in an interview.
Kering and LVMH — the huge parent companies for brands such as Saint Laurent, Dior and Vuitton as well as many Champagnes and spirits — have a near stranglehold on the luxury markets in every global region and jointly had sales of $58 billion in 2016.
“Foreign citizens might recognize France now by its brands and names... that’s a good thing. It’s an opening. This path will lead them to writers; to the technology that’s advancing in many domains,” added Lang.
Lang said that over the last decade the French state has cut funding to the traditional means of promoting French language and culture abroad, such as the Lycee Francais schools, amid the dominance of the English language.
The chefs, designers and curators are very much aware that they are modern day cultural ambassadors.
“The Louvre Abu Dhabi is... recognition of French expertise and the renown of the Louvre museum. So, yes, we are both very proud that the Louvre name bears these values (as) a new way for France to speak to the world,” Louvre President Jean-Luc Martinez told The AP.