Who Owns Our Story? Why African artefacts are still in Western museums

About the Event

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About the Event

A live conversation exploring African artefacts, restitution, identity, and what it truly means to bring them home.

Sunday 14th June | 3:00pm ET| 8:00pm BST (UK)

True Culture Talks: TimeBridge Series

Across museums in Europe and North America, thousands of African artefacts remain far from the communities and cultures they came from.

But this conversation is about more than objects.

It is about identity, memory, history, power, and who has the right to tell our stories.

True Culture Talks presents our second live discussion:

Who Owns Our Story?

Why African artefacts are still in Western museums and what it will take to bring them home

From the Benin Bronzes to sacred cultural objects taken during colonial rule, the global conversation around restitution is growing louder across Africa, the African diaspora, museums, universities, and cultural institutions worldwide.

This live panel discussion brings together voices in archaeology, African art, museums, and cultural heritage to explore the deeper questions behind restitution, representation, and cultural ownership.

Together, we will explore:

• How African artefacts were removed from the continent
• Why many still remain in Western museums today
• The growing global movement calling for restitution
• What “bringing them home” truly means
• How heritage connects to identity, ancestry, and collective memory
• Why this conversation matters to Africans and the diaspora around the world

Whether you are joining from the United States, the Caribbean, the UK, Africa, or beyond, this conversation invites us all to reflect on history, culture, and the stories that shape who we are.

Join us for an evening of thoughtful conversation, learning, and reflection as we explore one of the most important cultural discussions of our time.

Agenda

• Welcome and Conversation Framing

  Introduction to True Culture Talks, guest speakers and setting the context for the discussion.

• Historical and Context Presentation

  Presentations each from our guest speakers exploring the movement of African artefacts, the history behind their displacement, and the ongoing conversation around restitution and cultural ownership.

• Panel Conversation and Discussion

  A guided discussion with our speakers exploring questions around identity, heritage, representation, and what it truly means to bring cultural heritage home.

• Audience Q&A & Open Reflection

  Questions and reflections from the audience in a moderated and respectful space.

• Closing Remarks

  Final reflections, an invitation to continue the journey through the TimeBridge Club and information on future True Culture Talks conversations.

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