'Macron is paving the way for the return of African and Asian artifacts from French museums'
French President Emmanuel Macron has achieved a significant milestone in cultural policy by facilitating the return of African and Asian artifacts from French museums. A new law on the restitution of cultural property was unanimously adopted by the French parliament, marking a shift in attitudes towards the return of looted artifacts. This change reflects a broader movement in Europe, with increasing support for the restitution of cultural heritage to its rightful owners.
- ▪A new framework law on the restitution of cultural property was adopted by France's parliament on May 6 and 7.
- ▪Macron's 2017 speech in Burkina Faso initiated a shift in France's approach to returning looted artifacts.
- ▪Research on the provenance of artworks has intensified, and many countries are accelerating the restitution process.
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French President Emmanuel Macron is in the twilight of his term, but on cultural policy, he can claim credit for an outstanding and historic achievement that would have seemed unimaginable 10 years ago. A new framework law on the restitution of cultural property to foreign countries was unanimously adopted by both chambers of France's parliament on May 6 and 7, a remarkable feat in these times of identity tensions, when lawmakers hurl insults over the slightest disagreement. There were few people in the Assemblée Nationale at the time of the vote, but as in football, the result matters more than the method. It took several decades for Macron to state the obvious: A stolen or looted object should be returned to its rightful owner.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Le Monde (EN).
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