Berlin's Humboldt Forum Opens Amid Dispute Over Benin Bronzes

Germany returns 20 Benin bronzes to Nigeria, but thousands more remain in European museums.

The opening of the Humboldt Forum in Berlin has reignited a debate over the return of African artifacts to their countries of origin.

The museum, which houses a vast collection of art and artifacts from around the world, has been criticized for its display of Benin bronzes, which were looted from the Kingdom of Benin (now Nigeria) by British forces in 1897.

The Nigerian government has repeatedly called for the return of the bronzes, arguing that they are part of the country's cultural heritage and should be returned to their rightful owners.

In 2021, Germany agreed to return 20 of the bronzes to Nigeria, but thousands more remain in European museums, including the British Museum in London and the Ethnological Museum in Berlin.

The opening of the Humboldt Forum has brought the issue of repatriation back into the spotlight, and it is likely to remain a contentious issue for many years to come.