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.
In a new book, German historian Götz Aly reveals how a boat was taken from the South Pacific and ended up in a German museum. Will it spark a new restitution debate?
Looted boat to be shown at Berlin s Humboldt Forum
In a new book, German historian Götz Aly reveals how a boat was taken from the South Pacific and ended up in a German museum. Will it spark a new restitution debate?
Is the Luf boat yet another stolen colonial artifact?
The announcement last month that Germany would return the Benin Bronzes 13th century sculptures stolen from Africa and since displayed in national museums to Nigeria caused widespread celebration.
It was a long-overdue win in the fight for the restitution of artworks and artifacts sitting in museum collections that were often acquired illicitly by European colonial powers.