Germany s new history museum forced to decolonise after decision to hand back Benin Bronzes
Museum in rebuilt Kaiser s palace has lost Benin bronzes, opening a Pandora s Box over colonial-era artefacts
The Benin bronzes were looted from Nigeria by British forces
Credit: Thomas Niedermueller/Getty Images Europe
The opening of Berlin’s newest and most spectacular museum is in danger of being overshadowed by a growing row over Germany’s colonial heritage and looted art.
The Humboldt Forum was supposed to be Berlin’s answer to the British Museum. Housed in a new reconstruction of the palace from which the Kaiser announced the start of the First World War, it aims to bring the non-European collections of the city’s many museums together in a new home.