ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

700 signatories urge reopening of French institute in Syria

opinion-review · 2026-04-24

A collective of nearly 700 researchers, teachers, journalists, artists, diplomats, and students has published an open letter in Le Monde calling for the reopening of the Institut français du Proche-Orient (Ifpo) in Syria. The signatories argue that the institution, a flagship of Franco-Syrian intellectual and cultural cooperation, could contribute to the country's scientific and cultural renaissance. The letter was published on April 24, 2026.

Key facts

  • Nearly 700 signatories signed the open letter.
  • The letter was published in Le Monde.
  • Signatories include researchers, teachers, journalists, artists, diplomats, and students.
  • The letter calls for the reopening of the Institut français du Proche-Orient in Syria.
  • Ifpo is described as a flagship of Franco-Syrian intellectual and cultural cooperation.
  • The reopening is framed as a potential contribution to Syria's scientific and cultural renaissance.
  • The letter was published on April 24, 2026.

Entities

Institutions

  • Institut français du Proche-Orient
  • Le Monde

Locations

  • Syria

Sources