Paper Short Abstract:

As part of my personal research in restitutions, I aim to pinpoint what factors are driving the current surge of interest in Western decolonial initiatives within the global museum community.

Paper Abstract:

The international museum scene has experienced significant upheaval in recent years. In response to advocacy from specific communities seeking the restitution of ancestors, objects, and artifacts, museums have reassessed their stance on restitution. This has triggered a proactive race to "decolonize," which not only mirrors shifts in public opinion but also aligns with the prevailing national and international political dynamics of each country. These dynamic adjustments appear to be responsive to the intensity of public outcry, and extend beyond the realm of restitution, decolonization, or museums, encompassing broader international movements such as Black Lives Matter and #MeToo. Despite the perception of a unified stance on restitutions in North America and Europe, regional disparities are evident, with countries like Spain seemingly exhibiting minimal attention to the issue, Germany embracing a more comprehensive approach, and France, often considered the originator of the movement, adopting, suddenly, a more moderate position.