Diners enjoy coffee outdoors, when shops are allowed to reopen after a 7-month separation to fight the COVID-19 epidemic, in Brussels, Belgium on May 9, 2021. Photo: AFP/VNA According to European sources, during the meeting in Brussels, diplomats proposed that those who can present a certificate of having had a full dose of an EU-approved COVID-19 vaccine, can enter the bloc. . In addition, the limit for assessing a country on the list of entry restrictions has also been raised, whereby this list will include countries with a rate of new infections within two weeks of 75 cases per 100,000. population, instead of the current 25 cases. The recommendations are expected to be approved by EU ministers on May 20. Currently, the 27 EU member states still ban entry without a good reason, except for some countries considered safe with low rates of COVID-19 cases. However, business in Europe is also being resumed after the epidemic prevention restrictions are lifted. * On the same day, French people could not hide their joy when they were able to do old habits again such as sipping a cup of coffee outside a restaurant, preparing to go to the cinema or visit a museum. After more than 6 months of imposing measures to control the COVID-19 epidemic, France has relaxed restrictions, whereby cafes and restaurants with courtyards or rooftop gardens can serve guests to eat and drink. outdoors, while museums, cinemas and theaters will also reopen. This is part of phase 2 of the plan to lift the blockade. After that, restaurants will be allowed to serve indoors from June 9, and the French economy will fully reopen on June 30. Contrary to the deserted atmosphere, “doors closed, bolted” for many months, all over Paris, cafes and restaurants are busy preparing and arranging outdoor dining and drinking areas, while the first “gods” were enjoying their morning coffee. Mr. Pascal, manager of Saint Jean’s in the Montmartre district, is pleased to say that he has welcomed 3 customers to drink coffee. Meanwhile, one of the customers called it a big change from having to buy takeaway coffee. In the western city of Rennes, Patricia Marchand, manager of the cafe des Feuilles, confirmed that the whole city center is busier and full of excitement, although the meteorological agency predicts rain may occur in many places. . Also from May 19, the night curfew in France will also be shortened by 2 hours, starting at 21:00. Thus, people were able to have dinner together and chat longer, although eating and drinking still had to be limited to no more than 6 people/table. Not only enjoying a cup of coffee or drinking wine, many French people also look forward to going to the movies or watching exhibitions. In a statement posted on the webiste, the Louvre museum posted a status line expressing its joy when it was reopened to visitors. In order to boost the economy, France has also decided to reopen non-essential businesses but must implement social distancing regulations. Currently, the number of patients with COVID-19 in intensive care units in France has decreased to 4,250 cases, much lower than about 6,000 cases a month earlier. The weekly rate of new cases also fell to 142 cases per 100,000 people, much lower than 400 at the beginning of April.

People eat at an outdoor restaurant in Paris, France, May 19, 2021. Photo: THX/VNA Bad weather doesn’t discourage them from heading to their favorite destinations. Demand for tickets to an exhibition of Renaissance sculpture at the Louvre has spiked. According to the plan, after the second phase of easing the COVID-19 epidemic prevention, France will fully open the economy on June 30. Similarly, the Austrian Government also eased epidemic prevention measures on May 19, accordingly reopening restaurants and bars after a 6-month shutdown to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic. 19. However, this relaxation decision only applies to those who have tested negative for the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19, or have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine or have recovered. recovering from this illness. * Around 50,000 travel professionals from around the world gathered in the Spanish capital Madrid on May 19 for a five-day fair. This is the first travel fair to be held in a live format during the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe. The organizers of the FITUR International Tourism Fair expect to welcome 100,000 visitors at this year’s fair, of which 50% are ordinary people who will be allowed to attend this event during the weekend. Last year, the event attracted nearly 260,000 visitors. However, due to the impact of the epidemic, this year’s fair will reduce the maximum number of visitors, while side festivals will not be held and seminars within the framework of this fair will be held. operate in an online form. The FITUR international travel fair is held in the context that Europe and many other countries have been eased from epidemic prevention measures and people around the globe are preparing to resume travel activities. Tourism is one of the sectors most severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to estimates by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the number of people traveling in 2020 has decreased by 74% compared to 2019.

JR’s artwork at Trocadero Square, with the Eiffel Tower in the background. Source: JR Instagram At certain angles, JR’s work creates a perfect illusion with the image of the Eiffel Tower standing on the cliff, below is the abyss. The layout of the work is quite large, enough for visitors to freely pose and create many unique photos. JR chooses to publish his work on the same day outdoor restaurants are allowed to reopen; and the people of Paris are eager to return to normal life. Lisa Dakdaki – a Parisian said: “It feels like Paris is coming to life. This is a great idea because it is associated with the Eiffel Tower, a symbol of the city.” It took about 2 months to make, this work will be on display until June 17, 2021. JR is known for its large format street art. In 2019, he created the illusion of disappearing pyramids at the Louvre museum (France), with an elaborate installation. Recently, he created a “big crack” at the Palazzo Strozzi museum of Florence (Italy) that made a great impression on the public. JR’s work at the Louvre Museum 2019. Source: JR Instagram

Laurence des Cars has been appointed director of the Louvre Museum. (Source: culture.gouv.fr) French Government On May 26, she appointed Laurence des Cars as Director of the Louvre Museum. With this decision, Ms Laurence des Cars became female director The first in the more than two-century history of the world’s largest and most visited museum. Coming from a family of writers-journalists, 54-year-old Laurence des Laurence is known for applying art to promote social issues. The female art history expert currently runs the Musee d’Orsay – a famous museum of 19th century art, located in Paris. She was also the first female director of this museum. Laurence des Laurence’s development policies at the Musee d’Orsay have greatly increased the attraction of young visitors to the museum, while also expanding the museum’s size in terms of the number of works on display. and exhibition space. Ms. Des Cars will officially take over as director of the Louvre in September, replacing Jean-Luc Martinez. Before the COVID-19 pandemic broke out in France, Louvre museum attracted a record number of visitors, with more than 10 million people in 2019. This museum was inaugurated in 1793 now owns hundreds of masterpieces of art, of which less than 10% are on permanent display at the Louvre.

Overwhelmed with new magnificent Paris when viewed from above The French capital Paris shows magnificent beauty with the ancient Notre-Dame Cathedral, the romantic Seine River and the tall skyscrapers in the photos taken from above. Jeffrey Milstein first took top-down photographs with his Cessna 150 in 1961 when he was only 17 years old. At that time, after he obtained his pilot’s license, in order to have a lot of time to fly, Jeffrey Milstein agreed to clean and sweep the hangars in Southern California, USA. But Jeffrey Milstein’s life has gone through many professions. He chose to become an architect, then started his own design company, before starting his career in photography today. The Louvre is like the pyramid in the heart of Paris The picture of Paris with the Arc de Triomphe as the center To get the pictures of Paris from above, Jeffrey Milstein is also quite laborious, using helicopters in the city is very limited and rarely granted. The helicopter company he flew in supported the three-month application process and art friends supported Jeffrey Milstein. The man living in Woodstock, New York, USA said: “Two flights of about 45 minutes around the city, I had to work very quickly, but because I was a good pilot, everything was done.” The end result is a book of 200 enchanting color photographs showcasing the ‘city of light’ in a very rare variety of angles. Jeffrey Milstein is best known for his top-down shots, saying: “I really like this formal, symmetrical look with its strong focus and careful cropping. art, like a drawing of the premises that an architect can see. ” Georges-Pompidou National Center of Arts and Culture The stately gardens of King Louis XIV and the elaborate palace in Versailles Luxembourg is an important garden of Paris, France Milstein has photographed other cities in a straight-down style. His book published in 2017 shows images of Los Angeles and New York, USA. In addition, the veteran photographer also takes photo frames in London, UK and Amsterdam, Netherlands. What particularly attracts Jeffrey Milstein above all are the buildings with a fairly uniform height and aesthetics. This is largely due to Georges-Eugène Haussmann’s 19th-century urban plan when he decided to level most of the city’s medieval structure, opening wide boulevards and a limestone building. “Paris has a wonderful identity, with beautiful boulevards and light everywhere, no tall buildings blocking the light,” said Jeffrey Milstein. This man captured most of the famous landmarks in central Paris with the exception of Notre Dame Cathedral, which is still covered after the terrible fire in 2019. To get a picture taken straight from above, helicopter pilot Félix Claro had to fly steep circles, while Jeffrey Milstein had to sit as lean as he could and was always ready to shoot. .