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Benin Museum Celebrates Return of Precious Artifacts from France

Lisa Bryant

   PARIS - More than two years after France promised to return
   colonial-era treasures to their African homes, Benin -- ostensibly the
   first recipient of the groundbreaking policy -- still awaits them. But
   on Friday, a small museum outside Cotonou celebrated the return of
   antique royal scepters gifted by a group of Paris gallery owners.

   In 2017, French President Emmanuel Macron sparked joy -- and unease --
   when he announced colonial-era treasures from Africa would be returned,
   or shared through exhibitions and loans. The first gesture would be the
   speedy return to Benin of 26 objects looted by French colonial forces
   in 1892.

   But turning that promise into reality is not so easy. Only last
   December did France's culture minister offer a concrete
   timetable,saying the objects now housed at Paris' leading African art
   museum wouldbe returned by 2021.

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