Restitution of royal treasures: the Beninese await a "historic moment"
The entrance to the palace of Béhanzin, the king whose 26 works were looted almost 129 years ago.
© RFI / Pierre Firtion
Text by: RFI Follow
3 min
Cultural goods, looted from the palaces of Abomey by French troops in 1892, arrived in Benin on November 10.
A ceremony is organized at the Presidency of the Republic to celebrate this return demanded, negotiated and obtained by the President of Benin in 2016.
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The return of the works will be celebrated in the gardens of the Presidency of the Republic from 5 p.m., two hours after the arrival of the royal treasures, says our correspondent in Cotonou,
Jean-Luc Aplogan
.
From 150 to 300 guests are expected, institutional, kings and traditional leaders and the descendants of King Béhanzin, the sovereign whose palace was looted in 1892 in Abomey.
President Talon has two distinguished guests,
Bénédicte Savoy
and
Felwine Sarr
, authors of a report on the restitution of African cultural heritage.
The ceremony: national anthem, traditional animation, children's choir and interview with Patrice Talon.
There will be no voodoo ceremony, the protocol will remain republican.
► To read also: Cultural goods: the Savoy-Sarr report mentions final restitutions
The boxes carrying the works will not be opened.
According to the calendar, the 26 works will remain two to three months in the Presidency of the Republic, the time of acclimatization to the new conditions of climate and humidity.
They will be exhibited at the
Portuguese fort of Ouidah
while waiting to be transferred definitively to the Museum of the Epic of the Amazons and the Kings of Dahomey in Abomey.
A museum with international standards, funded by the French Development Agency.
It will be ready in three years.
During the signing of the deed of transfer of works, President Patrice Talon said he was partially satisfied with the 26 works he obtains today. "
How do you expect my enthusiasm to be total then other emblematic works such as the God of metals and the forge, the tablet of Fâ, a mythical tool which allows diviners to read the future and many others are retained in France
”, regretted the Beninese president. Obviously, he wants more. Officially, Benin has not sent a new complaint, but Patrice Talon hopes that “
the rest will come
”, he is counting for that on the legislative work launched by the French president to define a more general framework of restitution.
“It is a symbolic, moving and historical moment, which was so much awaited and unexpected,” welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron alongside Beninese President Patrice Talon on November 10, 2021. © AP - Sarah Meyssonnier
►
Also to listen: Restitution of royal treasures: "It's a victory for the new dialogue between Benin and France" [International guest]
Many Beninese have discovered the story of the looting of the Abomey palaces with this restitution file.
They applaud the return of these 26 works and eagerly await their exhibition.
“
I shudder at the idea of taking a closer look at these royal treasures, especially the thrones of our ancestors.
It is unimaginable
”, thus entrusted to AFP in Cotonou a dignitary and head of community Dah Adohouannon.
"
From the height of my 72 years, I can die in peace, once I see them,
" he added.
►
To read also
: Restitution of works in Benin: in Abomey, the joy of the descendants of King Béhanzin
🇧🇯 Many Beninese accuse #France of returning only part of the works, but others are happy.
►Au 🎤de J.-L. Aplogan #RFImatin 👇 pic.twitter.com/WFZMmq9aTX
- RFI (@RFI) November 9, 2021
For them, the ceremony will also be broadcast live on Beninese television screens.
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