France's amazing aid to New Orleans, including art from the Louvre

NYT: France Reconnects to an Old Acquaintance, la Nouvelle Orléans
By ADAM NOSSITER
Published: November 5, 2005

NEW ORLEANS, Nov. 4 - It's been just over 200 years since the French gave up on their unloved, swampy corner of North America here, but some piece of it has continued to inhabit the Gallic imagination ever since.

That attachment paid off for Louisiana, in money and relief supplies, after Hurricane Katrina, and on Friday it took a more symbolic turn in the form of a quick but apparently heartfelt visit to this stricken city by the French minister of culture, Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres.

The minister came to announce a series of cultural initiatives: a planned exhibition here with the help of the Louvre and other French museums, and benefit concerts across France. But since he was the highest-ranking foreigner to come to this city since the storm (barely trumping Prince Charles, who was due later in the day), his visit was just as much the reaffirmation of a link that has never quite disappeared....

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The New Orleans mayor, C. Ray Nagin, beamed and confessed to his ignorance of French, but said he loved hearing the language spoken anyway. "The French are part of our history, part of our soul, and now they are definitely part of our future," the mayor told reporters, afterward saying France's response to the disaster had been "awesome." As for the projected exhibition of about 50 artworks that the Louvre and other museums are pledging to lend to the museum here, "it's first class, it's world class," Mr. Nagin said, reaching for superlatives....

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Help has been both concrete and symbolic. French companies have given $18.5 million in aid. The government has donated 20 tons of emergency supplies. French military divers have helped clear waterways. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is pledging $180,000 to help French-oriented schools in Louisiana, and the city of Clermont-Ferrand alone has given $54,000 to the battered schools of New Orleans. The benefit concerts in France will help displaced Louisiana musicians get back on their feet. "Jazz in New Orleans - that's what the world loves," Mr. Donnedieu de Vabres told the reporters....

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/05/arts/design/05louv.html

The French are deeply connected to us, and I was deeply dismayed by the
animosity generated by the * administration.

"Le jour de gloire est arrive!"

I am a transplant here in So. Louisiana, but my great, great, great grandfather was a French soldier who came over with Lafayette and fought with Gen. Lafayette and with Gen. Washington. As a matter of fact, my family was the recipient of a French Land Grant given to him for his service. Obviously, I am mostly French.

I was very proud that this area of the US never bought into the French-bashing that went on in this country. I know a lot of Americans certainly revere our French ancestry as I do.

New Orleans and the rest of the Gulf region impacted by Katrina and Rita desperately need help. Everyday I am amazed that the people across America have moved on, while we are still in desperate straits. Of course, that's the way this Administration wants it. Out of sight, out of mind. I wonder just how much of the aid promised will be delivered.

I ask all DUers to remember this disaster and help all they can. Word of mouth will help keep this tragedy in front of the American and world community. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everybody for their help and prayers. Bless you all.

through the Greek Orthodox Church in America.

I wish the best to you, and recovery for your great city.

Merci Beaucoup! :grouphug:

Just lovely! And I Love France! :)

oh, wait a minute, those were painted in la Nouvelle-Orleans while M. Degas was visiting relatives there in 1872. As far as I know they are the only Impressionist works ever created in North America. And yes, they miraculously survived the deluge, as the N.O. Museum of Art was built on a little hillock in the midst of flooded-out City Park.

How many Impressionists worked in your city? (Parisians need not respond :-) )