The Stream

Should museums return cultural relics?

The Stream debates whether disputed artefacts should be sent back to their home countries.

Should cultural artefacts return to their home countries or be displayed in Western museums? That’s the question surrounding the British Museum’s controversial exhibit on Australian indigenous culture. Activists say aboriginal groups deserve to have their artefacts back, while others argue that the world’s major museums should keep relics for historic preservation and education. Join the conversation at 1930GMT.

On today’s show, we speak with:

Marc Masurovsky @plunderedart
Art historian
plundered-art.blogspot.com

Gary Foley
Professor of history, Victoria University

Gary Murray
Yung Balug clan elder & spokesperson

Elena Korka @cultureGR
Director General of Antiquities and Cultural Heritage in Greece
culture.gr

What do you think? Should cultural artefacts return to their home countries or be displayed in Western museums? Leave your views in the comment section below.