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Berlin (dpa) - The prospect of the first return of the Benin bronzes, which are considered looted goods, to Nigeria are, from the point of view of the President of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation, Hermann Parzinger, a decisive decision.
"This is a historic step," said Parzinger of the German press agency (dpa) after an online conference of museum experts and politicians.
"We hope that we can start making returns as early as 2022."
First of all, “comprehensive transparency of all Benin bronzes in German collections should be established as quickly as possible”.
In addition, according to Parzinger, “talks about substantial returns and future collaborations” are planned with the Nigerian partners.
The aim is also to clarify “the conditions under which Benin bronzes can continue to be shown in German museums”.
The next step is the meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation on June 29, in which the federal and state governments sit.
“We will certainly not decide on individual properties yet, that has to be discussed with Nigeria.
But I am now assuming that there will be a decisive decision, ”said Parzinger.
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Before the meeting, at the invitation of Culture Minister Monika Grütters (CDU), Baden-Württemberg's Art Minister Theresia Bauer (Greens) had put additional pressure on with a timed timetable.
"We were able to communicate well," said Bauer of the dpa after the informal meeting.
“There is the necessary momentum in the matter.
We have agreed on a procedure with which we will set the next milestones. "
Benin bronzes can be found in numerous German museums.
According to previous plans, such art treasures will also be exhibited in the Berlin Humboldt Forum.
The Ethnological Museum has around 530 historical objects from the Kingdom of Benin, including around 440 bronzes.
Most of the objects came from the British looting in 1897.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210429-99-408380 / 2