Colin Delfosse

In 2020, in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement, African diaspora communities in Europe called for the return of artifacts looted during the colonial era. In several countries, restitution processes have been put in place. In Belgium, despite the adoption of a law in 2022 on the return of artifacts to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the process has stalled. The decision faces multiple obstacles on both the Congolese and Belgian sides. Priorities lie elsewhere: in a tense international climate, governments’ concerns are shifting away from cultural issues.

By documenting these issues from a Congolese perspective, Restitutions explores the tensions between memory, power, and transmission. It forms part of an effort to popularize knowledge of traditional cultures in order to stimulate reflection and enable new generations to reconnect with their history.