Benin Artworks: France To Return Thrones And Statues
Last edited Fri Nov 23, 2018, 07:09 PM - Edit history (1)
Source: BBC News
47 mins. ago.
French President Emmanuel Macron has said that France will return 26 artworks taken from the west African state of Benin in the colonial era. His announcement follows an experts' report recommending that African treasures in French museums be returned to their countries of origin.
The 26 thrones and statues were taken in 1892 during a colonial war against the then Kingdom of Dahomey. They are currently on display in the Quai Branly museum in Paris.
Benin officially asked for their return some years ago. President Macron said the statues would be returned "without delay".
His office said the return of art to Benin should not be an isolated case. The president "hopes that all possible circulation of these works is considered: returns but also exhibitions, loans, further cooperation", the Elysee palace said. -MORE...
Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-46324174
During colonial rule in Africa, thousands of cultural artifacts were seized by Western countries. The official report states that most of the Africa collection in the Quai Branly museum, approximately 46,000 pieces was acquired with some degree of duress. France's announcement comes as major museums across Europe have agreed to lend key artifacts back to Nigeria.
A report commissioned by the French president recommends that disputed artworks be returned to countries of origin.
Photo showing the Ato ceremony of the Kingdom of Dahomey, c. 1934, on May 18, 2018, at the Quai Branly Museum-Jacques Chirac in Paris. Experts have advised Macron to allow the return of thousands of African artworks in French museums.
"France Returns 26 Artworks to Benin as Report Urges Restitution," Voice of America, Nov. 23, 2018
https://www.voanews.com/a/france-asks-should-ex-colonizers-give-back-african-art-/4671296.html
"Macron became the first Western leader to initiate a comprehensive review of colonial loot after telling Burkinabe students last year that "African heritage can't just be in European private collections and museums."
> Ninety percent of Africa's cultural heritage is now believed to be in Europe. The Quai Branly Museum in Paris alone holds 70,000 African objects, as does London's British Museum, Savoy told Reuters this year.
Western museums have traditionally resisted appeals to return objects to their countries of origin, which they often argue lack the necessary resources to care for the works."
~ Bravo Macron & France for deciding to return these looted artworks to Africa!
= new reply since forum marked as read
This one -
Belongs back here -
