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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.