Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar (VCU-Q) will present a lecture ‘Museums, Shared Heritage and Identity,’ by Dr Guido Gryseels, director general, Royal Museum for Central Africa in Belgium.

The lecture, open to the public, is part of the Crossing Boundaries Lecture Series of VCU-Q and will be held today at 6pm.

Established in 1898 as a colonial institution, the Royal Museum for Central Africa (RMCA) in Belgium is one of the most important reference institutions in the world. It is a federal scientific institute for research and information dissemination with respect to Africa in the fields of biology, earth sciences, anthropology, history and agriculture or forestry.

With world famous reference collections for Central Africa, it is also recognised internationally for its exhibitions and research on cultural and natural heritage, societies and natural environments of Africa. In addition, the RMCA has collaborative research activities in more than 20 African countries and provides training every year to nearly 120 African scientists.

The RMCA is currently closed for major renovation, prompting internal reflection, and has opened fresh conversations with African communities within Belgium and the wider diaspora.

Dr Gryseels will provide an overview of this reform process and highlight the issues it has presented including the role of post-colonial museums in a multicultural society; the challenges and possibilities of shared heritage; the challenges of defining national identity; and the development of partnerships with source communities.

 

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