French Institute of Mauritius to host film screening and debate on restitution of African cultural heritage

The event, scheduled for Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at 6:30 PM at its headquarters in Rose-Hill, will feature a screening of the documentary "Restituer? L'Afrique en quête de ses chefs-d'œuvre" by Nora Philippe. Following the film, a debate will be held with Vincent Négri, a jurist and researcher specializing in international cultural heritage law.

The discussion will address questions such as ownership of African artworks in Western museums and how to approach their return, transmission, and place in contemporary historical narratives. The documentary, co-produced by Arte and released in 2021, explores over a century of colonial looting, the formation of major Western museums, and the efforts by African states, researchers, and communities to reclaim their cultural heritage. It highlights that 75% of Africa's artistic heritage is currently outside the continent, mostly in Europe.

Vincent Négri's visit to Mauritius is part of a project to preserve Mauritian heritage, initiated by the French Embassy in Mauritius and implemented by Expertise France in partnership with the Mauritian Ministry of Arts and Culture. His mission aligns with the transformation of the National Heritage Fund into the National Heritage Authority, aiming to strengthen the institutional framework for protecting Mauritian heritage. Négri, a jurist and resear