Regional museums ‘extra alert’ after climate actions: ‘But we will not suddenly check the bags’ | Zwolle

On Thursday, activists from the British action group Just Stop Oil glued themselves to the wall and to the glass near the painting Girl with the pearl in the Mauritshuis in The Hague. After previous actions in Europe, this was the first incident in the Netherlands.

“We are certainly concerned that the actions are now coming very close,” says a spokesperson for the Kröller-Müller Museum. “Like other museums, we follow the actions closely. We are extra vigilant under these circumstances.”

The museum says it understands the importance of taking measures to save our climate. “However, however urgent that message is, we believe that art should not be the target. Our heritage is there to connect, as a mirror to the past and with a view to the future.”

Museum de Fundatie in Zwolle has also reminded staff to be extra alert. “Although I do not expect that we will be the first museums that activists think of, it is not inconceivable that something like this could happen to us,” said spokesman Rob Zuidema. “You can never prevent it completely, but we have pointed out to our staff to pay extra attention.”

For example, Zuidema does not see any reason to check visitors extra on arrival. Bags are not checked upon arrival. Visitors are asked to store these in lockers, the majority of visitors do this too.”

Museum More in Gorssel and Paleis het Loo in Apeldoorn support the earlier statement of the Dutch Museums Association. “Art is defenseless and cultural heritage should not become a victim in a social discussion in this way.”

De Fundatie also understands the urgency of the climate problem. “We even have a climate expo running at the moment. We just don’t think that such an action is the right way to draw attention to the climate.”