Benin: A mission from Quai Branly in Cotonou to speed up the restitution of works

The president of the Quai Branly-Jacques Chirac museum, Emmanuel Kasarherou, is in Cotonou to speed up the process of restoring the works in his museum's possession.

AFP / File

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The president of the Quai Branly-Jacques Chirac museum, Emmanuel Kasarherou arrived in Cotonou on Wednesday March 24 on a technical mission until March 28 devoted to advancing the preparations on the Benin side for the return of the 26 works promised by Paris.

Time is running out, as the French deputies have given Benin and Senegal a year to complete the process and recover these works.

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With our correspondent in Cotonou,

Jean-Luc Aplogan

The French mission is purely technical.

On the program, working sessions and site visits for the President of Quai Branly.

Benin mobilized for its visit ministers, curators and committee for the restitution of works.

Joint program since 2019

The two countries have been working since 2019 on a common program.

And according to our information, there is good news for the Beninese part: Paris would take care of the physical transfer

of the works from the Musée du Quai Branly to Cotonou

, then finance the packaging and insurance.

To transport them to Cotonou, the option of commercial flights would be considered.

Another good news, around a hundred photos of the 26 works, free of rights, will be sold in Benin.

Beninese experts are also expected in Paris for a transfer of skills.

The issues of acclimatization and conservation are essential and will be discussed in depth during the mission.

Destination Abomey

The works will mark a first stop at the

Portuguese fort of Ouidah

, which is undergoing major renovations to meet standards.

Final destination: Abomey, at the Museum of the Epic of the Amazons and the Kings of Danhome.

According to forecasts, Benin thinks it is completely ready to welcome its works next November.

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 To listen also: Ouidah: while waiting for the restitution

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