Postponement of Bayeux Tapestry Transfer on Thursday Due to Public Protests
The transfer of the Bayeux Tapestry, a 1,000-year-old embroidery, has been delayed due to the national day of action scheduled for the 18th, according to Philippe Bélaval, the curator of the Bayeux Tapestry Museum.
The Calvados prefecture confirmed the postponement in a statement, citing the expected mobilization in the Calvados department as the reason for the delay. The prefecture also removed a video advising against the transport of the Bayeux Tapestry, as the operation to transfer the tapestry to its conservation location was postponed by a few days.
The Bayeux Tapestry, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is scheduled for transfer in September 2026 to the British Museum, as French President Emmanuel Macron announced the loan of the tapestry to the UK to revitalize cultural relations. However, the Normandy Regional Directorate of Cultural Affairs stated that the tapestry was not transportable before being restored.
Expert reports have shown the fragility of the Bayeux Tapestry, with 24,204 stains, 9,646 holes, and 30 tears documented. Despite these warnings, the transfer operation was to take place in the coming days, but the prefect does not consider himself able to ensure the security of such a media transfer and the transport of such a valuable work due to the anticipated mobilization.
Two British historians are currently engaged in a debate about the number of penises depicted on the Bayeux Tapestry, adding to the tapestry's intrigue and historical significance. The transfer of the Bayeux Tapestry from its current closed museum location to a secret conservation location will now take place at a later date.
The 10th of September precedent in the department required a significant deployment of law enforcement, and the prefecture is taking precautions to ensure the safety and security of the tapestry during its transfer. The exact new date for the transfer has not yet been announced.
The loan of the Bayeux Tapestry to the British Museum is eagerly anticipated by both French and British cultural enthusiasts, and the postponement of the transfer is a temporary setback in the process. The Calvados prefecture and the Bayeux Tapestry Museum will continue to work closely to ensure the safe and timely transfer of this priceless historical artefact.
