From 17 to 19 November 2021, Angers will host an international symposium that will shed light on the polychrome portal of Angers cathedral. It will welcome the Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, whose agency has been chosen to build the future contemporary gallery that will adorn its façade in 2024.

The polychrome portal of Angers cathedral will be the subject of a three-day international symposium, from 17 to 19 November, at the Université catholique de l'Ouest and the Musée des Beaux-Arts, the two organisers of the event with the DRAC des Pays de la Loire and the universities of Nantes and Poitiers.

"Stone, colour and restoration" will be the three main themes of the three-day event, which will present the results of the restoration of the cathedral's polychrome portal, as well as taking stock of knowledge about the portal and highlighting the progress made, in particular through the rediscovery of medieval and modern polychromy, which has been preserved in rare proportions.

The ensemble Sine Cum will illustrate in music the symbiosis of the two medieval and contemporary periods by interpreting pieces from the 12th century and a piece composed by Quentin Lafarge inspired by the Dies Irae.