For our July event, we’ll be hearing from Jenny Downes, Public Programme and Exhibitions Manager at the University of Aberdeen (@uoacollections).
In March 2021, the University of Aberdeen announced that it was to return a Benin Bronze – a sculpture looted by British soldiers in Nigeria in one of the most notorious examples of the pillaging of cultural treasures associated with 19th century European colonial expansion.
Thousands of metal and ivory sculptures and carvings were looted by British forces in 1897 during the destruction of Benin City in present-day Nigeria by a British military expedition. Over the last 40 years there have been growing calls for the return of such items, which have become symbols of injustice.
The University of Aberdeen instigated a discussion with representatives of the Nigerian Federal Government, the National Museums and Monuments Commission of Nigerian, the Edo State Government and the Royal Court of the Oba of Benin in 2020, which has now led to it becoming the first institution to agree to the full repatriation from a museum of a Benin Bronze.
The news received international press attention, with articles published in The Guardian, Washington Post and many more.
Jenny will discuss the aims of the social media content surrounding the announcement, as well as how she and her team prepared for international attention and potential backlash to this politically-charged news story.
After the short presentation, there’ll be time for a Q&A and general discussion.
When: Wed, 7 July 2021 (15:00 – 16:30 BST)
Where: Online (Zoom)
Booking: Eventbrite
Photo courtesy of University of Aberdeen
SPECIAL THANKS
Thanks to our fantastic 2021 sponsor, we’re able to offer payment to all SHSMG speakers while keeping these events free for attendees:
“Whereverly create cultural and heritage tourism apps and websites.
We want tourists and locals to embrace local culture and heritage through music, song and stories, whilst discovering the hidden gems.
The Whereverly app and web platform makes creating a helpful tourism app easy. The content on Whereverly apps is produced for the most part by local communities, guides, heritage professionals, park rangers and local storytellers.
The Whereverly apps and website feature interactive maps, 3D maps, AR experiences, points of interests, favouriting and list building. As well as audio and non-audio walking, cycling, driving and rail tours. As well as music and stories delivered based on where the visitor is.
Example of our apps are Falkirk Explored, the North Coast 500, Scotland Starts Here, Explore Stirling, Highland Discovery and the Coig. We have developed supporting websites re-using the app content for the Coig and Scotland Starts Here. We are working on new heritage focussed projects which feature AR models, badge collecting and 3D maps.”
For more information, visit Whereverly.com.
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