French minister launches list of online culture tools

On a new website created by the ministry of culture, here, the ministry has collated a central list of a variety of nationally-available cultural online events, offers and digital platforms.

These currently include virtual museum or gallery visits, podcasts, online performances and concerts, radio and TV archives, online conferences, games, and educational content for children.

The list is grouped by category: “For Children”, “For Everyone”, and “For Parents”.

The “For Children” category so far includes a virtual visit to the Musée d’Orsay, designed especially for kids aged 5-18; a tutorial on how to make an origami paper dragon; and a special platform of child-friendly TV shows provided by France Télévisions.

The “For Everyone” category includes a “Culture Pass” for people 18 or over, offering access to online e-books, audiobooks, podcasts, films and more; a video library of concerts from a range of musical styles, including performances by the National Orchestra of France; and resources such as audiovisual tools from the Louvre Museum.

The “For Parents” category includes resources such as online educational tools and classes to support at-home learning.

The aim is to update the website regularly to continue to add to the library of resources.

Share using the hashtag #CultureChezNous

The minister, Franck Riester, is also encouraging people to share their own creative work online - especially if it refers to the experience of living under confinement - using the hashtag #CultureChezNous on social media platforms.

These could be pieces of writing, videos, photography, singing, music, dancing - “any of your creations, favourites, or things you are especially enjoying”, the ministry said. It could also include your experiences of using the resources offered by the site.

The initiative is part of the government’s aim to spread “one rule, one single message: stay at home!”, the ministry said.