Concern about Caribbean artifacts in foreign hands

Steve Blackett there’s a need for the creation and implementation of a programme to restore such works to their countries of origin, a position which the Barbados government took at the Durban Review Conference in April this year.(File photo)

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, December 4, 2009 – Barbados’ Culture Minister has expressed concern that many valuable artifacts and collections from the region's history remain in the hands of foreign collectors, universities and museums.

Steve Blackett says that Barbados, just like several other countries in the region and the Americas, had lost ownership of many vital aspects of its heritage, with several records still in British repositories.

He said there’s a need for the creation and implementation of a programme to restore such works to their countries of origin, a position which the Barbados government took at the Durban Review Conference in April this year.

"Each Caribbean nation must therefore be encouraged to recognise that the protection of its cultural offerings contributes to the overall development of its museum collections and exhibitions and benefits the nation as a whole,” he said, while addressing a reception for the 21st Annual General Meeting and Conference of the Museums Association of the Caribbean (MAC) at the Barbados Museum and Historical Society's headquarters this week.

“These items contribute to the ability of a people to see who they really are and from whence they have come.”

Blackett also urged the MAC to adopt the cause as one of its priorities and also explore the protection of the region's cultural property.