As the world watches in shock as the Russian invasion of Ukraine unfolds, professionals and institutions linked to the arts and to heritage preservation have been working to keep Ukrainian collections safe from possible bombardment. One of the most important mobilisations has been taking place in France, with the decisive participation of Chenue, the French company that is a shareholder in Clé Chenue do Brasil.
15 tonnes of supplies in a Paris warehouse
In late March, around 200 French professionals joined forces to gather packing, humidity-control and fire-protection materials for Ukrainian institutions. Chenue made one of its warehouses in Paris available to receive the donations sent by around 20 French museums. In short order, roughly 15 tonnes of material were collected, enough to fill a truck.
Photos: ICOM France
The convoy to Warsaw
Chenue then stepped in again, transporting the donations to Warsaw, Poland, where another group of culture professionals is coordinating delivery to Ukrainian museums. The mobilisation continues in Paris to gather enough material for a second and a third convoy, as there are hundreds of museums in need of material to pack and protect works of art and artefacts.
The Louvre in 1919 and 1939, Notre-Dame in 2019
This is not the first time Chenue has played a decisive role in the face of great tragedies and crisis situations. In 1919 and in 1939, the company was called upon to evacuate the Louvre during the First and Second World Wars. And in 2019, immediately after the Notre-Dame fire, Chenue was responsible for rescuing the works of art that remained inside the Cathedral and for keeping them safe in a warehouse in Saint-Denis.
The seriousness and tradition of Chenue's work are present in Brazil through Clé Chenue do Brasil, in which the French company is a shareholder, together with the Brazilian company Expomus. Learn more about this partnership here.
