Museums, Shared Heritage and Identity

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. Currently closed for major renovation works, this closure has prompted internal reflection, and has opened fresh conversation with African communities and the wider diaspora. In this lecture Dr. Guido Gryseels, Director of the RMCA will provide an overview of this reform process and highlight the issues it has presented including the role of postcolonial 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.