'There is a genuine political will to restitute cultural heritage'
France has passed a new law aimed at the restitution of cultural heritage, particularly colonial-era objects. This legislation is seen as historic, as it allows for the return of looted antiquities from French public collections. However, the law imposes limitations, including a cutoff date of 1815 and exemptions for certain archaeological finds.
- ▪The law was adopted by France's Parliament on May 7, marking a significant step in the restitution of cultural heritage.
- ▪It allows for the return of looted antiquities but introduces a chronological cutoff of 1815.
- ▪Certain archaeological objects obtained through legal means are excluded from the law.
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Much has been said about the promise made by French President Emmanuel Macron in Ouagadougou in 2017 concerning the restitution of sub-Saharan African cultural heritage. Meanwhile, the fate of looted antiquities – whether Egyptian, Greek, Etruscan or Roman – has remained a long-standing taboo. The final adoption by France's Parliament on Thursday, May 7, of a new law on the restitution of cultural heritage has been described as historic for colonial-era objects, and with good reason. But the legislation also goes further, paving the way for the return of looted antiquities that have been housed in French public collections for many years.
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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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