Vice World News l The Unfiltered History Tour l Cannes Lions 2022

Summary

The video addresses the controversy surrounding artifacts housed in the British Museum, many of which were taken from other cultures, often by force. It highlights objects like the Rosetta Stone and the Gweagal shield, questioning the ethics behind their acquisition. The video explores how these items represent the cultural heritage of their origin countries, evoking a sense of loss and historical injustice. Museums across Europe are beginning to reconsider the display of such artifacts, acknowledging the need for more ethical approaches to presenting history.

Takeaways

• 🖼️ The British Museum is a public institution in London dedicated to human history, art, and culture, with over 80,000 works from around the world.
• 🛡️ The Griegel shield, taken from indigenous people, is one of the artifacts on display, raising concerns about the museum’s practices.
• 🗣️ Some museum collections are based on a narrative of pride in taking artifacts from other cultures, reflecting a colonial mindset.
• 🗿 The Rosetta Stone, far from being a new discovery by Europeans, was already reused in Egypt and holds cultural significance for Egyptians as a 'living ancestor.'
• 🏛️ Many important artifacts displayed in Western museums, like the British Museum, are located thousands of miles away from their countries of origin.
• 📦 The British Museum has been labeled as the world’s largest receiver of stolen goods, sparking debates about the ethics of holding such collections.
• 🌍 An interactive tour is being launched to explore the most contested artifacts in the museum's collection, prompting reflection on their histories.
• 📖 Artifacts made in indigenous kingdoms tell their own stories and preserve history, often taken without consent.
• ⚔️ European powers, particularly Britain and France, competed for control over Egyptian artifacts, often taking them as spoils of war.
• 🔄 There’s growing recognition that exhibiting items taken by force is problematic, and museums must reconsider how they handle such collections today.

Q & A

What is the British Museum and what is its focus?

The British Museum is a public institution dedicated to human history, art, and culture, with a collection of over 80,000 works from around the world.

What is the significance of the Griegel shield mentioned in the transcript?

The Griegel shield, displayed at the British Museum, was taken from indigenous people, symbolizing how artifacts from colonized cultures were removed by foreign powers.

What does the statement 'I'm proud of what my grandfathers stole from yours' imply?

The statement reflects a critical view on how colonial powers took cultural treasures from other civilizations, highlighting the exploitative nature of these actions.

Why is the Rosetta Stone referred to as not being a discovery by the French or British?

The transcript explains that the Rosetta Stone was already discovered and used in Egypt multiple times, implying that neither the French nor the British can claim it as their own 'discovery.'

How do Egyptians view the Rosetta Stone, according to the transcript?

For Egyptians, the Rosetta Stone is not just a historical artifact but a 'living ancestor,' reflecting its deep cultural and historical significance.

What critique does the transcript make about the British Museum's collections?

The British Museum is described as 'the world's largest receiver of stolen goods,' critiquing the institution for holding artifacts that were taken by force from other countries.

What is the purpose of the interactive tour mentioned in the transcript?

The interactive tour aims to showcase some of the most contested artifacts in the British Museum, highlighting the controversies surrounding their acquisition.

How does the transcript describe the rivalry between two foreign powers in Egypt?

The rivalry between two foreign powers in Egypt is described as one power defeating the other and taking the spoils of the other, which reflects the colonial competition for resources and cultural artifacts.

What emotions are expressed by the speaker regarding the history of British colonialism?

The speaker expresses a deep sense of shame about Britain's colonial past, acknowledging how Britain 'went around the world and took what we wanted.'

How are European museums currently addressing the issue of contested artifacts?

European museums are slowly realizing that exhibiting items taken by force hundreds of years ago is inappropriate, and they are reconsidering how to engage with these contested artifacts.