Germany Wants To Facilitate Return of Artifacts Looted During Colonial Era

A central contact point and new guidelines are intended to facilitate the return of cultural assets brought to Germany during the colonial era. Representatives of the federal, state, and local governments agreed on this at a meeting in Berlin. - AFP

Germany is taking steps to simplify the return of cultural artifacts looted during the colonial era, with federal, state, and municipal representatives reaching an agreement on new guidelines during a high-level meeting at the Federal Chancellery in Berlin. The meeting was convened by Culture State Minister Wolfram Weimer, who stated, "Colonialism was based on oppression, violence, and exploitation – it is our responsibility to clearly name and address this injustice."

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According to the federal government and the Conference of Culture Ministers of the States, the new office will serve as a central contact point for foreign governments and their agencies on questions regarding the restitution of artifacts. Plans also include the creation of an international network of experts to advise German museums and their administrators on best practices.

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In addition, representatives from the three levels of government agreed on shared guidelines for handling cultural property and human remains from colonial contexts. These guidelines provide concrete recommendations with the aim of "further facilitating the return of cultural property and human remains from colonial contexts from public museums and collections," as stated in a joint declaration.

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Simultaneously, officials approved a revised handbook for the restitution of Nazi-looted art, particularly to Jewish owners and their descendants. Weimer explained that the update provides greater "clarity" and establishes an important foundation for the planned launch of arbitration procedures for Nazi-looted property on December 1.

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During the colonial period, large numbers of cultural artifacts and human remains were taken to European countries, where they were traded and displayed in museums. The question of returning these items to their countries of origin has gained prominence in recent years. Germany, for example, returned hundreds of so-called Benin Bronzes to Nigeria in 2022 and 2023.

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