Four organizations file a lawsuit against the Guimet Museum to prevent it from revising the labeling of its collections, specifically from changing "Tibet" to "Himalayan World."
In a recent development, four Tibetan associations have launched a legal action against the prestigious Guimet Museum in Paris, France. The museum, renowned for its extensive collection of Asian art, is now facing allegations of abusing its power and using cultural diplomacy as a tool, rather than spreading culture and knowledge.
The legal action, which was prepared with a 30-page report including photos and testimonials from Tibetologists, aims to stop the Guimet Museum from replacing the word "Tibet" with the expression "Himalayan World" in its collections. This policy, critics argue, is part of China's policy of erasing Tibet's cultural identity.
The case is part of a series of disputes between the Guimet Museum and Tibetan groups over the representation of Tibetan culture in the museum. The associations claim that there is a political undertone that violates the museum's obligation of neutrality.
Lily Ravon, the lawyer for the four Tibetan associations, has explained that this legal action is intended to prove that the Guimet Museum is not adhering to its statutory obligations. William Bourdon's law firm has decided to bring the case before the Paris Administrative Court.
The lawsuit is supported by the Association of Students for a Free Tibet, the Tibetan community in France and its friends, and the France Tibet association. Despite protests, demands, and media campaigns, the Guimet Museum has not reinstated the word "Tibet" on its panels, signage, or website.
The Guimet Museum, as a platform for cultural dialogue, has been involved in numerous exhibitions involving Chinese art and cultural exchange. However, the current legal action has raised questions about the museum's neutrality and its commitment to representing Tibetan culture accurately.
As of the report date, the Guimet Museum has not publicly commented on the legal action. The museum continues to be highlighted for its role in international cultural cooperation, with emphasis on mutual understanding and artistic expression rather than political controversy.
The case is a significant development in the ongoing disputes between the Guimet Museum and Tibetan groups, and it will be interesting to see how the Paris Administrative Court rules on this matter.
[1] Source: The Art Newspaper, The Guardian, and Le Monde (July 2025)
- The ongoing legal action against the Guimet Museum, situated in Paris, France, is part of the cultural-travel discourse, given its focus on proving the institution's non-adherence to its statutory obligations regarding the representation of Tibetan culture.
- The case, supported by various associations and the Franco-Tibetan community, questions the museum's policy-and-legislation approach, particularly the Guimet's decision to replace "Tibet" with "Himalayan World" in its collections, an issue that sparked debates about the erasure of Tibet's cultural identity.
- As the Paris Administrative Court considers this general-news item, it will bring attention to the Guimet Museum's role in politics, both in terms of diplomacy and its neutrality, effectively impacting the French lifestyle and the broader travel industry's approach to cultural preservation.
