Laurent Salome, director of the National Museum of the Palaces of Versailles and Trianon, France, speaks at the Hong Kong International Cultural Summit at the Hong Kong Palace Museum on  March 26, 2024. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY )

Laurent Salome, director of the National Museum of the Palaces of Versailles and Trianon, has praised Hong Kong’s role as a vibrant nexus point for European galleries looking to forge cross-border collaborations and gain a foothold in the Chinese mainland’s burgeoning art market. 

Salome, an award-winning curator who helms the royal residence-turned-world heritage site, was among the guests at the inaugural Hong Kong International Cultural Summit. 

I think we already have quite a few important art dealers who (would) like to work in Hong Kong. It is obvious that Hong Kong remains the place where the East meets the West ... 

Laurent Salome, Director of the National Museum of the Palaces of Versailles and Trianon

In a group interview on Tuesday, Salome highlighted the historic and strategic importance of Hong Kong for France’s galleries, citing its rich history of trade with Western countries and professional expertise. 

“I think we already have quite a few important art dealers who (would) like to work in Hong Kong.” He said that the city’s unique international character facilitates interactions between France’s cultural professionals and their counterparts on the Chinese mainland, bridging any potential communication gaps. 

“It is obvious that Hong Kong remains the place where the East meets the West,” Salome said. He said European museums can leverage Hong Kong’s resources and introduce more high-quality cultural content to local and mainland audiences.

He also commended Hong Kong for its dynamic, open, and enthusiastic approach to the arts, which, in his view, will lead to a more diverse range of projects being staged in the city. 

Laurent Salome, director of the National Museum of the Palaces of Versailles and Trianon, France, speaks at the Hong Kong International Cultural Summit at the Hong Kong Palace Museum on  March 26, 2024. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY )

Salome represented the Palace of Versailles in signing a memorandum of understanding with the Hong Kong Palace Museum on Sunday, signaling a plan for a special exhibition in December. 

The event will showcase the cultural exchanges between China and France during the 18th century to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-French diplomatic ties. 

Salome said he hopes a series of cultural projects, including the Hong Kong exhibition, will foster greater knowledge and understanding between the peoples of the two countries.