Is there a right or wrong way to remember such times and if so, how should postcolonial commemorative culture be realized? As the focus of this paper lies mainly on Germany it will therefore first give an overview of German postcolonialism as this is the current hot topic with the Humboldt Forum being in construction, then it takes a closer look at what the Humboldt forum exactly is and why it is so controversial. After that it gives an insight into how other countries deal with the issue of publicly remembering sensible subjects and it concludes with examples of how countries could possibly remember in a more sensible way and an outlook on the future of such institutions, the Humboldt Forum in particular.
“To be in touch with as much of the world as possible" is what Wilhelm von Humboldt once said. This quotation is cited on the cover of the Humboldt Forum brochure advertising the new museum which is currently being built in Germany. Amongst other things it will later showcase art which was acquired during the postcolonial period. This is the reason, why with the museum and this quotation there comes a whole lot of controversy that reaches far over the borders of Germany. The core of the discussion is whether proudly displaying items which were obtained under difficult, sometimes even violent and nonconsensual conditions, can ever be a sign for “positive coexistence" and “encouraging curiosity and enthusiasm about unfamiliar realms". So, what the founders of such institutions intended visitors to remember while they are in the museum is the historical past of the countries from which the items were taken. But what should also be remembered, and not celebrated at all here, are the lootings and exploitations of the Europeans during postcolonial times which is more or less quietly being swept under the rug.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The Basics of German (Post-)Colonialism
3. The Humboldt Forum
3.1 Origin of the Name
3.2 Purpose
3.3 Controversy
4. Postcolonial Commemorative Culture in other countries
4.1 France
4.2 England
5. How to – Postcolonial Commemorative Culture
6. Future of the Humboldt Forum
7. Conclusion
8. Limitations
Objectives and Topics
This paper explores the complex relationship between German postcolonialism and the establishment of the Humboldt Forum in Berlin. It examines the controversies surrounding the display of looted artifacts, the historical significance of the museum's location, and the ongoing debates regarding repatriation, aiming to identify a more ethical and sensible approach to commemorative culture in modern institutions.
- German postcolonial history and terminology
- The mission, purpose, and controversy of the Humboldt Forum
- Comparative analysis of postcolonial memory in France and England
- Strategies for ethical restitution and museum governance
- The role of historical responsibility in shaping future museum policies
Excerpt from the Book
3.3 Controversy
The critique on the Humboldt on the other hand is that it´s purpose seems to be widely ignored in the way they go about it. One cannot only focus on the present and the future, meanwhile overlooking or even rejecting the past. And if a look into the past of the displayed artifacts is given, there are many reasons why such a controversy arose around the institution. The most obvious one is that most of the non-European items which shall be on display in the museum are lootings which were taken during the colonial times, some of them were even payed for in blood. Critics say that artifacts like these can therefore never be a sign for international elucidation, especially when their background is not clearly presented (see No Humboldt 21! [Resolution] 2013).
Another problematic is the name of the institution. As established in chapter 3.1 the name Humboldt has its own controversy by the brothers proclaiming, they are against colonialism and all exploiting practices which ate related to it. But mainly because of Alexander Von Humboldt’s close business relations with colonial powers like Spain, which made him basically an accomplice to the crimes committed by these nations, people are not sure what to think of the brothers. This is why they are not at all suitable as name givers to an institution which is supposed to promote equality and interculturality (see [Resolution] 2013).
Apart from that the location of the Humboldt Forum is also being criticized. The building is going to be in the Berlin palace, the re-erection of the seat of the Prussian emperors. This is disturbing because Prussian rule was the reason for German colonialism in the first place, as noted in chapter 2 (see [Resolution] 2013).
Lastly, it is difficult for people to comprehend how the state can spend almost 700 million for the whole Humboldt Forum in total, not including the cost of the land it is being built on. Especially because, at the end of the day, only privileged people can afford to travel to and enjoy the benefits of the institution, instead of investing the money in organizations that could support the development and people of the nations the displayed items were taken from (see Association Berliner Schlosses E.V.).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The introduction outlines the central controversy regarding the display of colonial-era artifacts at the Humboldt Forum and sets the scope for exploring German postcolonialism.
2. The Basics of German (Post-)Colonialism: This chapter defines key terminology and provides a historical context regarding the German colonial empire and its specific, albeit often unfulfilled, intentions.
3. The Humboldt Forum: This chapter examines the naming, intended purpose, and significant public controversy associated with the establishment of the Humboldt Forum.
4. Postcolonial Commemorative Culture in other countries: This chapter analyzes how France and England have navigated the controversies surrounding their own ethnographic museum collections.
5. How to – Postcolonial Commemorative Culture: This chapter explores potential solutions, including the restitution of artifacts, to address the dilemmas of postcolonial representation.
6. Future of the Humboldt Forum: This chapter assesses the likelihood of institutional change and the challenges of implementing a more critical perspective on the collections.
7. Conclusion: The conclusion synthesizes the findings, emphasizing the ethical necessity for museums to engage honestly with their colonial past.
8. Limitations: This chapter acknowledges the scope constraints of the study, noting that it focuses primarily on the Humboldt Forum while omitting other relevant institutions like the Linden museum.
Keywords
Humboldt Forum, Postcolonialism, Colonialism, Commemorative Culture, Restitution, Provenance Research, Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation, Ethnology, Looted Art, No Humboldt 21, Cultural Diplomacy, Museum Studies, Historical Responsibility, Neo-colonialism, Decolonization
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this paper?
This paper examines the controversy surrounding the Humboldt Forum in Berlin, focusing on how the institution handles objects acquired during the colonial era and the broader implications for German postcolonial memory.
What are the primary themes discussed?
The main themes include colonial history, museum ethics, the debate over the restitution of looted artifacts, and the role of cultural institutions in fostering international understanding.
What is the central research question?
The paper seeks to understand how postcolonial commemorative culture should be realized and whether it is possible for the Humboldt Forum to address its controversial history while maintaining its stated purpose.
Which methodology is employed?
The work utilizes a qualitative approach, analyzing existing literature, historical documents, activist resolutions, and case studies of similar institutions in France and England to contextualize the German situation.
What does the main body of the text cover?
It covers the definition of (post-)colonialism, a detailed look at the Humboldt Forum's origins and controversies, a comparative analysis of international peers, and potential strategies for more ethical museum practices.
What are the key terms that define this work?
Key terms include "Postcolonialism," "Restitution," "Provenance," "Commemorative Culture," and "No Humboldt 21."
Why is the location of the Humboldt Forum considered controversial?
The location is criticized because the Berlin Palace represents the seat of Prussian emperors, whose rule was historically tied to the onset of German colonialism.
How do other countries influence the debate in Germany?
Examples like France's discussions on artifact returns and the Maasai tribe's interaction with the Pitt Rivers Museum in England serve as benchmarks for how Germany might—or should—rethink its own collection policies.
What does the author suggest for the future of such institutions?
The author suggests that institutions need to stop ignoring the past, potentially through the restitution of stolen goods or closer collaboration with historians from the nations of origin to provide accurate context.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Annika Zöpf (Autor:in), 2019, The Controversy About the Humboldt Forum. How to Remember Postcolonial Commemorative Culture, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/541184
