Ivory Coast: at the Museum of Civilizations, the location of the talking drum shown to France
The French president's personal envoy is currently in Ivory Coast. Jean-Marie Bockel's main mission is to rethink the architecture of French military bases on the continent. But yesterday, February 20, 2024 in Abidjan, he was also able to address the question of restitution of pieces and works of art. He notably visited the Museum of Civilizations, where the talking drum, the first piece which should be returned by France to Ivory Coast, will be preserved.
The Minister of Culture, Françoise Remarck and Jean-Marie Bockel, after her visit to the Museum of Civilizations in Côte d'Ivoire © Embassy of France in Côte d'Ivoire
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With our correspondent in Abidjan,
Bineta Diagne
An elephant skull dominates the entrance to the museum and just behind it, there is a still empty space. This is where the talking drum could be installed, once returned. “
It was restored with the communities who wanted certain pigments not to be affected.
»
Tablet in hand, the Minister of Culture shows a three-dimensional image of Djidji Ayokwé, restored by the Quai Branly museum. While waiting for the return of the drum, the employees of the Museum of Civilizations are preparing. They are training to digitize many pieces in this museum.
“
Dialogue
”
“
We received, of course, support from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which today allows us to rehabilitate the museum, which also allows us to train our agents and our curators. The dialogue continues. Everything is in place so that this drum returns in the best conditions, here, in Ivory Coast
,” explains Françoise Remarck, the Ivorian Minister of Culture.
At his side, the French president's special envoy, Jean-Marie Bockel, is impressed. “
These are truly promising partnerships which, I believe, also symbolize the quality of the respectful, deep and rich relationship between France and
Ivory Coast
.
» On the French side, the National Assembly must still adopt a framework law to formalize the restitution of looted cultural property.
Read alsoThe restitution of the talking drum to Ivory Coast is becoming clearer
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