When we visit museums, we see cultural artifacts—from everyday household items to precious carvings and statues, which give us a glimpse into the diverse cultures and communities from around the world.
However, controversy surrounds these artifacts and whether or not countries should return these pieces of culture if they were stolen or forcefully taken during colonization (殖民).
On Wednesday, October 7, 2020, the Dutch advisory committee officially released a national report agreeing to the return of cultural artifacts that were stolen from its previous colonies such as Indonesia, Suriname, and islands on the Caribbean. Through these actions, the Dutch government acknowledged the unfair treatment the colonies had previously experienced and demonstrated respect for the culture of these countries.
By the 18th and 19th centuries, European countries such as Britain, France, and the Netherlands had colonized many African and Asian countries. During their rule, they either seized artifacts or took them as spoils of wars, and brought them to their own countries where they are now on display in museums.
Over the years, European museums have received requests for the return of artifacts. The debate regarding this issue took a turn in 2018 when a French report was released that directed that all heritage objects brought to French museums be restored. With the official release of this report, museums all across Europe began reconsidering their previous policies on colonial treasures.
Those who propose returning these objects to their original homes argue that with technology enabling virtual museum tours, returning these artifacts to their homeland does not take away the opportunity to learn about them. Furthermore, the country of origin will receive a significant part of their heritage back, and these artifacts will be given a chance to be truly appreciated in proper historical context.
Those against the restoration claim that culture is shared treasure and the artifacts are in fact “cultural ambassadors” that promote tolerance and understanding. They believe that while stealing them was wrong, history is full of “good” and “bad” actors. Moreover, they feel that keeping the cultural objects in the current museums has kept millions of artifacts safe from disfiguration and damage.
【小题1】What did the Dutch government admit?| A．The colonies were treated unfairly. | B．The colonies had stolen cultural artifacts. |
| C．The colonies had experienced cultural boom. | D．The colonies had been respected for their culture. |
| A．Egypt. | B．France. | C．Britain. | D．The Netherlands. |
| A．These artifacts reflect a culture of shared treasure. |
| B．These artifacts prove that the history is difficult to explain. |
| C．These artifacts will be enjoyed in their historical background. |
| D．These artifacts help people distinguish good history from bad history. |
| A．Are Virtual Museum Tours Meaningful? | B．Do People Appreciate Stolen Treasures? |
| C．Will Stolen Treasures Belong to Colonies? | D．Should Museums Return Stolen Treasures? |
