Museums Rethink What to Do with Their African Art Collections

Recently, a discussion is happening in museums around the world over the volume of African art in their collections. Officials in Germany and the Netherlands have announced plans to return art and artifacts (文物) taken from Africa during the{#blank#}1{#/blank#}period. And more museum staff are meeting on the topic across Europe.

According to the most commonly{#blank#}2{#/blank#}figures from UNESCO（United Nations Educational, Scientifie and Cultural Organization）, 90% to 95%of sub-Saharan cultural artifacts are{#blank#}3{#/blank#}outside Africa. Many were taken by force long ago and ended up in museums across Europe and North America.

At the Africa Museum in Belgium, director Guido Gryseels says 85 percent of the-museum's collection comes from the Congo-the site of Belgium's{#blank#}4{#/blank#}colony in Central Africa. For decades, Congolese leaders have asked for these objects to be returned. Most of their{#blank#}5{#/blank#}, and those by African countries to other museums, have been refused.

But recent events in Europe have{#blank#}6{#/blank#}the possibility of returns at a much larger scale. In addition to the plans announced in Germany, last year France conducted a study of how much African art French museums are holding and made{#blank#}7{#/blank#}about what to do with it.

The study recommended the return of a wide range of objects taken by force. The suggestion got mixed{#blank#}8{#/blank#}in France, where there are at least 90000 African items in museums.

In France, some people have suggested returns could leave shelves{#blank#}9{#/blank#}in French museums. Cecile Fromont, a French historian of Central African art, says that's not going to happen. One way of thinking about it, she says, is that more African art can go on display.

However, Guido Gryseels of the Africa Museum in Belgium{#blank#}10{#/blank#}that attitudes are changing. He says he's in discussion with the Congo to return works.