Plundered Art - The Bremer Museum returns looted art to Samoa
The Übersee-Museum in Bremen has returned a stolen part of a boat to the country Samoa. The so-called Boatsteen, a decorated piece of wood from a war canoe, had been in the possession of the museum. "We are very pleased to have clarified the origin of the Boatsteen and to have been able to return it to Samoa. This is an important step in the processing of our collections history," said Museum Director Wiebke Ahrndt. The exact origin of the Boatsteen was only revealed during the preparations for an exhibition.
The Boatsteen was reportedly taken by a German admiral during the Samoan Civil War in 1888. In 1932, he then donated it to the museum in Bremen. "Dealing with our history teaches us that it doesn't matter to us how and under what circumstances the exhibition pieces came into the possession of our museums. This is especially true for exhibits from the colonial era," said Bremen's Mayor Andreas Bovenschulte (SPD). From September, the piece will be on display in an exhibition developed in cooperation with the National University of Samoa, which will be held at the museum.
- The Boatsteen, a significant artifact of Samoan culture and history, was originally taken from Samoa during the 1888 Civil War.
- Besides the Übersee-Museum, the National University of Samoa is also involved in organizing an upcoming exhibition showcasing the returned Boatsteen in Bremen.
- Bremen's mayor, Andreas Bovenschulte, emphasized the importance of examining the past, regardless of its colonial context, stating that the museum should exhibit pieces despite their controversial origins.
- Apart from the Übersee-Museum, various art museums in Bremen house an array of international art, including pieces from Oceania, highlighting the city's commitment to promoting diverse cultural heritage.
