26 December 2013 - A vin d’honneur was hosted on December 01 by Madame Brigitte Ayrault, wife of French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault at the Hotel de Matignon (Prime Minister’s Office) to acknowledge the efforts of everyone who participated during the Sunday of Solidarity of Museums for the Philippines.

Prime Minister Ayrault, along with presidents and officials of the different participating museums, also graced the vin d’honneur. Red Cross France President Jean-Jacques Eledjam, together with officials and Red Cross volunteers who participated during the Sunday of Solidarity, were also at the event.

Leading the Philippine delegation at the Matignon were Philippine Ambassador to France  Cristina G. Ortega and Third Secretaries and Vice Consuls Rapunzel A. Acop and André Peter C. Estanislao. The Philippine delegation included officers and members of Filipino community associations who took part in the Sunday of Solidarity.

This unprecedented initiative, organized by Madame Ayrault in collaboration with the Philippine Embassy in Paris and major museums throughout France, has been hailed by French and international media as a resounding success that demonstrated the generosity of the French people and their solidarity with the Philippines in the wake of the tragedy brought about by Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).

In order to ensure that the public has access to the rich cultural patrimony of the country, access to most museums throughout France is free on the first Sunday of the month. During the Sunday of Solidarity event, the French Red Cross volunteers collected donations which were entirely allocated to relief efforts in the Philippines. Members of the Filipino community in Paris and personnel of the Philippine Embassy were also present to provide information on the typhoon and on the Philippines in general. Ambassador Ortega and Madame Ayrault toured the museums during that day to extend support to the volunteers.

In her speech, Madame Ayrault expressed gratitude to everyone who made the initiative a resounding success. She reported that over 100,000 euros was collected and will go towards relief and rehabilitation efforts in the Philippines. She said that the initiative is proof of the interconnectedness of culture and humanity where culture gives sense to our existence.

“The Philippines is going through a real human tragedy to which we cannot remain indifferent. More than ever, it is essential to apply what Albert Jacquard advocated: Now, the most needed solidarity is that of all the world’s inhabitants,” Madame Ayrault stated.

For his part, Professor Jean-Jacques Eledjam, President of the French Red Cross, welcomed the initiative and noted that "the French have always responded to requests for mobilization of the Red Cross.  It is true that it is not easy in this time of crisis, and the Philippines is a distant territory. But the Red Cross still needs everyone’s generosity to continue its actions in order to respond urgently and organize support for the victims in the long term. "

Ambassador Ortega hailed the event as testament to the generosity and compassion demonstrated by the French people and the international community in helping out the country during these difficult times. She underscored the resilience of the Filipino spirit in times of adversity and assured that with the international community’s support, the Filipino people shall overcome the devastating effects of the typhoon and rebuild their land.

Prime Minister Ayrault lauded the initiative and stated that France is one with the Philippines in these bleak times and that the Philippines can always count on the solidarity of the French people as the country continues to rise from the destruction brought about by the typhoon.

A testament to this solidarity are the donations which continue to pour in the country. The French Government, through the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has donated over 100 tons of relief items worth 1.25 million euros. Various French regions have donated over 400,000 euros, while French companies were able to raise over 10 million euros.

The following museums participated during the Sunday of Solidarity : the Louvre Museum, Musée national des Arts asiatiques Guimet, Musée du Quai Branly, Palais de Tokyo, Musée Rodin, Musée d'Orsay, Musée de l'Orangerie, Château de Versailles, Centre Pompidou, Louvre LENS, Centre Pompidou in Metz, Musée des civilisations de l’Europe et de la Méditerranée in Marseille, Musée Fabre in Montpellier, Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon. END