Lawmaker seeks support of Parliament to decolonise Swiss museums
A 17th/18th century mask from Benin, currently in the collection of the Rietberg museum. Museum Rietberg
On February 23, a parliamentary committee will discuss whether Switzerland should investigate the origins of artefacts in their collections that were acquired in a colonial context, with the goal of returning them if appropriate. The motion follows similar debates in other European countries that aim to set up structures and guidelines to address the issue.
This content was published on February 22, 2021 - 14:30
February 22, 2021 - 14:30
Catherine Hickley
The motion was put forward by Carlo Sommaruga, a Social Democrat member of Parliament, and will be debated by the Parliament’s committee for science, education and culture. It calls for technical and financial support for museums to conduct provenance research, a central system of mediation with countries of origin for disputed objects, and logistical supp
Swiss Covid restrictions to be lifted cautiously and gradually
Swiss museums are set to re-open on March 1 Keystone/Urs Flüeler
The government plans to re-open shops, museums and sports facilities in Switzerland from March 1 as part of its exit strategy for the Covid-19 restrictions.
This content was published on February 17, 2021 - 17:26
February 17, 2021 - 17:26
swissinfo.ch/urs
A ban on outside gatherings of more than five people will also be eased, but the number will remain limited to 15.
Libraries and exterior areas of zoos and botanical gardens will also be made accessible to the public again, following a six-week lockdown introduced in an effort to halt the spread of the virus.
But the new president of Mystic Seaport Museum sees that as an advantage, not a drawback.
While some museum patrons are interested in the technical aspects of the boats on display, he said many visitors, like him, are not sailors. They want to know the stories behind the boats. They want to know about the people who were on the boats, what their families did when they were gone. That s what I want to know about. They re not interested in the tonnage, the height (of the mast) or the keel, he said Tuesday afternoon, standing across from the Charles W. Morgan whaling ship.