Public Lecture: Restitution and Museums: Some Emerging Issues, Speakers: Kodzo Gavua & Hans Peter Hahn

Abstract

The urgency, the ethical  necessity and the political procedures of restitution are now widely known and recognised. In many African countries, initial experiences have already been made and some more far-reaching aspects are currently being intensively discussed.

As we will show in this lecture, it is crucial not to limit the perspective on restitution to the study of the objects themselves, their remobilisation and their presentation after return. Many other questions have recently emerged and demand clear answers in order to make the value of this return tangible for all concerned.

First, there is the question of which actors are implicated in this process. Different actors with different interests and specific agency make extensive negotiations necessary. Then, there is the question of what identity and whose cultural heritage these objects represent. An answer to this question must take into account the multivocality of the objects and their potential to be significant for very different groups. This is especially true for the interplay of community, national and regional interests. Last but not least, there is the question of the modality of transport and the responsibilities that go with it. As an example from Côte d’Ivoire has shown, the relationship between return and reparation may be tacit, but it is quite possible to link reparation with return. However, it is also important to point out the special role of museums and museum professionals who may have special skills, for example with regard to the safekeeping of objects, but also for careful examination, and interpretation, and not least for a form of exhibition that does justice to all the different interests.

Kodzo Gavua is Associate Professor of Archeology and Heritage Studies at the University of Ghana, Legon. He is the chair of the Ghana Focal Team on Restitution and Reparation.

Hans Peter Hahn is Professor of Social and Cultural Anthropology, Goethe-University Frankfurt. He is a specialist in material culture and international museums‘s cooperation.

Press Releases:

• “Local Communities must collaborate with Gov’t to retrieve local artefacts from abroad”, – Professor Kodzo Gavua, Radio Univers, 17th March, 2023