Leading article: Paris by night

Monday 02 February 2009 01:00 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

How not to envy the French? One day le tout Paris is marching behind big red banners in protest against unemployment, the next it is meekly queuing through the small hours to catch the Picasso exhibition before it closes. The clamour for culture may be a symptom of recessionary times, but the city fathers responded with Gallic magnificence to the oversubscribed Picasso, opening the Grand Palais continuously for the past three days – and nights.

Beside such bravado our own efforts seem tame. True, some galleries now open until 10pm once or twice a week, the British Museum holds a periodic sleepover, and the National Science Museum has just held a hugely successful evening for adults. France's "white nights", a summer weekend when galleries are open around the clock, is imitated across Europe. If we can have 24-hour supermarkets, we can surely manage the odd 24-hour exhibition. Open them, and they will come.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in