Dutch Museums Will Return Art and Artifacts that Were Looted from Sri Lanka and Indonesia

FILE - A Scythian gold helmet from the fourth century B.C. is displayed as part of the exhibit called The Crimea - Gold and Secrets of the Black Sea, at Allard Pierson historical museum in Amsterdam on April 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)
FILE - A Scythian gold helmet from the fourth century B.C. is displayed as part of the exhibit called The Crimea - Gold and Secrets of the Black Sea, at Allard Pierson historical museum in Amsterdam on April 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)
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Dutch Museums Will Return Art and Artifacts that Were Looted from Sri Lanka and Indonesia

FILE - A Scythian gold helmet from the fourth century B.C. is displayed as part of the exhibit called The Crimea - Gold and Secrets of the Black Sea, at Allard Pierson historical museum in Amsterdam on April 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)
FILE - A Scythian gold helmet from the fourth century B.C. is displayed as part of the exhibit called The Crimea - Gold and Secrets of the Black Sea, at Allard Pierson historical museum in Amsterdam on April 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)

Two Dutch museums are handing hundreds of cultural artifacts back to Indonesia and Sri Lanka — from a richly decorated cannon to precious metals and jewelry — that were taken, often by force, in the colonial era.
The government announced the planned restitution of 478 “cultural objects” Thursday. Some Western nations are returning looted artifacts and other objects as part of a reckoning with their often brutal colonial histories, The Associated Press said.
A Berlin museum announced in January it is ready to return hundreds of human skulls from the former German colony of East Africa. In 2021, France said it was returning statues, royal thrones and sacred altars taken from the West African nation of Benin. And last year, Belgium returned a gold-capped tooth belonging to the slain Congolese independence hero Patrice Lumumba.
“This is a historic moment. It is the first time that, based on the advice of the Advisory Committee on the Return of Cultural Objects from Colonial Context, we are returning objects that should never have been in the Netherlands," said State Secretary for Culture and Media Gunay Uslu.
The committee was set up in 2022 to assess requests by countries for restitution of artifacts in state museums. It is considering more restitution requests from Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Nigeria.
One of the highlights of the looted objects being returned to Sri Lanka is the Cannon of Kandy, a ceremonial weapon made of bronze, silver and gold, and inlaid with rubies. The barrel is decorated with the symbols of the King of Kandy: a sun, a half-moon and a Sinhalese lion.
The cannon has been in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, the national museum of art and history, since 1800. The museum said it was looted by Dutch East India Company troops during the siege and plunder of Kandy in 1765.
The museum's director, Taco Dibbits, called the decision to return the cannon and five other pieces “a positive step in cooperation with Sri Lanka.”
A ceremony is planned for July 10 to officially hand over looted artifacts to Indonesia at the Museum Volkenkunde in Leiden, including a collection of jewels known as the Lombok Treasure looted from Lombok island.



Spouse of Saudi Crown Prince Announces Launch of Misk Heritage Museum 'Asaan' in Diriyah 

The museum, set to open in the coming years in the heart of historical Diriyah aims to become a global cultural hub celebrating both tangible and intangible Saudi heritage. (SPA)
The museum, set to open in the coming years in the heart of historical Diriyah aims to become a global cultural hub celebrating both tangible and intangible Saudi heritage. (SPA)
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Spouse of Saudi Crown Prince Announces Launch of Misk Heritage Museum 'Asaan' in Diriyah 

The museum, set to open in the coming years in the heart of historical Diriyah aims to become a global cultural hub celebrating both tangible and intangible Saudi heritage. (SPA)
The museum, set to open in the coming years in the heart of historical Diriyah aims to become a global cultural hub celebrating both tangible and intangible Saudi heritage. (SPA)

Princess Sara bint Mashhour bin Abdulaziz, spouse of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, announced the launch of the programming for the Misk Heritage Museum "Asaan," reported the Saudi Press Agency on Monday.

The museum, set to open in the coming years in the heart of historical Diriyah—one of the Kingdom's most important heritage sites—aims to become a global cultural hub celebrating both tangible and intangible Saudi heritage. Supported by the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation, "Misk," the museum will significantly contribute to cultural sustainability through its diverse programs and activities.

As a non-profit organization, the museum is dedicated to preserving and celebrating Saudi Arabia’s rich and diverse heritage.

It will feature a wide range of heritage artifacts and collectibles displayed in interactive exhibitions and inspiring spaces, offering visitors immersive experiences that take them on a journey through time. These experiences aim to foster a deep connection to cultural roots, making heritage vibrant, relevant, and profound for both current and future generations.

The museum's mission aligns with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, emphasizing cultural sustainability and the preservation of Saudi identity.

At the announcement, Princess Sara bint Mashhour bin Abdulaziz, Chairperson of the Asaan, stated: "Our goal is to cultivate a generation that takes pride in its heritage and actively works to preserve and revitalize it. Asaan will showcase the Kingdom's rich legacy, including artifacts, customs, and societal values. This commitment reflects our national identity, connects our past with the present, and ensures that our heritage is sustained for future generations."

Asaan will span over 40,000 square meters and feature an innovative design by Zaha Hadid Architects. The design, inspired by traditional Najdi architectural styles, will reflect the Kingdom's identity while embodying modern creativity.

The museum is dedicated to preserving and celebrating Saudi Arabia’s rich and diverse heritage. (SPA)

Upon its opening, the museum will house thousands of heritage artifacts and collectibles that tell vivid stories of the past and provide insights into the ways of life experienced by Saudi generations throughout history.

In collaboration with entities affiliated with the Misk Foundation, the museum aims to benefit from global expertise and establish partnerships to ensure integrated efforts in cultural preservation. These collaborations will strengthen the Kingdom’s position as a global leader in investing in its cultural heritage.

The museum will host various spaces, including permanent exhibitions, art galleries, and an arts courtyard where visitors can connect with Saudi Arabia's rich and multifaceted heritage. It will also feature "Asaan’s Majlis," a space dedicated to fostering dialogue, sharing ideas, and hosting workshops focused on reviving heritage.

With conservation labs and interactive learning programs, the museum will create immersive experiences that bring the Kingdom’s history and culture to life in dynamic and accessible ways.

The Asaan Museum is set to become a key landmark in Saudi Arabia's cultural landscape. Through its partnership with the Misk Foundation, Asaan will leverage global expertise to further boost the Kingdom's reputation as a leader in cultural heritage preservation and celebration.

Princess Sara’s unwavering commitment to preserving Saudi heritage is evident in the innovative and contemporary approaches championed by Asaan. She actively supports cultural programs that revive Saudi heritage through artistic and social initiatives. She is also dedicated to empowering individuals, particularly youth and people with disabilities, by enhancing their educational and professional skills. These efforts align with the broader goals of the non-profit sector under the framework of Saudi Vision 2030.