Tamil Nadu inks MoU with France’s Centre-Val de Loire

The Tamil Nadu government signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with France’s Centre-Val de Loire at the Secretariat Chennai on Tuesday (September 16, 2025) for cultural exchange and efforts to boost tourism. The MoU was signed in the presence of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and France’s Consul General in Puducherry and Chennai Etienne Rolland-Piegue.

The understanding is aimed at facilitating the easy exchange, travel and associations of artists, cultural organisations and establishments between Tamil Nadu and Centre-Val de Loire, an official release from the State government said. Exchanging experiences and best practices in the tourism sector and public policy, conservation of traditional knowledge, practices in archaeology, and maintaining museums would be among the common areas of interest.

In another event, Mr. Stalin presented the Living Craft Treasure Award to seven artisans. The award that recognises skilled artisans above the age of 65 carries a cash prize of ₹1 lakh, 8 gram gold medal, a Thamirapathiram and a certificate. Artisans N. Rani Vincent, K.B. Veezhinathan, Ilavarasi Chokkar,  Kuppu Subramani, D. Ramani, N. Poovammal and N. Durairaj received the Living Craft Treasure Award for 2024-25.

He also presented the Poompuhar State Awards to 10 artisans above 30 years that carries a cash prize of ₹50,000, 4 gram gold medal, Thamirapathiram and a certificate. Artisans J. Venkatraman, C. Ramesh, M. Kuppusamy, T. Gopalakrishnan and K. Murugan, R. Harikrishnan and S. Rehmath Meeral Beevi, C. Sri Kumari, P. Megantu, R. Gokulnath Reddy received the PoompuharState Awards for 2024-25.

Minister T.M. Anbarasan, Chief Secretary N. Muruganandam and senior officials were also present on the occasion.