“Returning Colonial Loot?”

Restitution or Retention

Are you in favour of restitution or retention?

Pressure is mounting for Britain’s museums to return cultural objects taken during the colonial era by force, theft or against the will of their owners. Like other European nations with former colonies, Britain is facing the same moral, ethical and legal pressures to correct historical injustices by repatriating cultural artefacts.

In this illustrated talk, you will hear the case both for and against the return of ceremonial, spiritual and domestic objects from Britain’s national and regional museums. Then you have the chance to vote whether a selection of these objects – all currently the subject of formal requests for repatriation – should be returned to their country of origin. Is your mind made up or will you change your view when faced with the evidence?

A unique opportunity to engage with an issue of enormous sensitivity and significance. Our talk is given by Lewis J McNaught, founder and managing editor of returningheritage.com the leading online resource for news and information on restitution issues

Lewis McNaught

Lewis is the founder and managing editor of Returningheritage.com, a not-for-profit online resource, established in 2019 to provide reliable, up to date information about cultural restitution. Most of his professional career has been spent in the arts, including five years working in the Department of Egyptian Antiquities at the British Museum and thirteen years as CEO of Mall Galleries in London SW1. He writes on restitution issues for magazines and journals, is interviewed frequently on national television and radio and provides research material for documentaries. Currently, he is leading a high-profile campaign to return sacred artefacts to Ethiopia.

Price per ticket: £18 per person

The organiser of this event is Dianne Page

email dianne@artfriendswarks.uk

To book places click HERE

Booking closes on March 5