Workers at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on Wednesday, three days after a fire devastated the building. By Patrick Gathara Patrick Gathara Email Bio Follow April 19 at 9:55 AM The fire that gutted the roof of the Notre Dame Cathedral this week nearly destroyed a building that had stood since the Middle Ages and had come to embody the soul of Paris and perhaps France itself.
France and other European countries are home to African artifacts and archives looted during and at the close of the colonial period. Catastrophes such as the one at Notre Dame are a reminder that Europe’s museums and historic buildings — many of which house colonial artifacts — are not invulnerable.
But there is an even more pressing issue. If a tragedy was to hit any of the museums hosting African treasures, these might be lost without the descendants of their creators ever having the opportunity to experience them. It would be similarly tragic if the same were to happen to the archives where nearly a century of colonial history, including documentation of the numerous atrocities committed against Africans by the colonial authorities, is hidden away.
Would the French accept that Notre Dame’s artifacts be entrusted to another country for safekeeping? That her citizens be required to travel beyond their borders to view them? Of course not. So why would Macron and European museum directors assume that this would be acceptable to Africans? As Prince Kum’a Ndumbe III, who runs a Cameroonian nonprofit, also told the New York Times, “This is not just about the return of African art.
Can someone tell me what this article says please?
Can someone give me a brief rundown, don't wanna give these hacks the benefit of a click.
NatGalleryZim art kgosinyathi zenzele Africa heritage NotreDame artefacts
You can say the same for US museums. Even more so. This is a culturally biased article and you can’t make a general rule out of one incident! Disappointing!
What a ridiculous OpEd.
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