Millennia-old artefact the Bayeux Tapestry, depicting the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, started its journey from France to England on Friday after being marred by controversy and delayed by strikes.
The 70metre-long tapestry was carefully taken down from display in the Bayeux Museum in Normandy and will be transported in secret to the British Museum in London, where it will be exhibited from September 2026 for nine months.
Warnings from conservationists
However, the move has sparked outrage amongst art and heritage experts, who consider it in far too fragile a state to survive such a journey, compromising conservation and restoration efforts.
A full restoration of the piece was called for in a 2020 report which documented its tens of thousands of stains, tears, and holes – though this is yet to be carried out.
Any damage incurred during the relocation would be permanent, according to textile restorer Thalia Bajon Bouzid, who says: “Tears would not be repaired, for reasons of authenticity.”
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: ‘Together for Palestine’ charity concert raises £1.5m in support of Palestine
Online petition
An online petition launched by historian Didier Rykner in protest of the move was signed by over 73,000 people, calling the move a “heritage crime”.
Spokesperson Philippe Bélaval countered these claims by saying a study found the tapestry “absolutely not untransportable” – although little is known about the study or its transportation recommendations due to the whole process’ secretive nature.
An unrelated general strike on Thursday also caused the museum to delay the delicate operation by a day.
Why is the Bayeux Tapestry being moved?
The loan was announced back in July by French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to celebrate ties between the two countries.
Thought to have been originally woven in Kent, the temporary exhibition will mark the tapestry’s first time on British soil since its inception.
Nicholas Cullinan, director of the British Museum, called the Bayeux Tapestry “one of the most important and unique cultural artefacts in the world”.
“It is hard to overstate the significance of this extraordinary opportunity of displaying it at the British Museum and we are profoundly grateful to everyone involved”, he added.
It may be until next autumn before visitors and conservationists alike can see what state the Bayeux Tapestry is in after this long journey.
READ NEXT: The Philippines opens largest ever science museum
Geoffrey H. Latayan 
Vivien Bernardino