The Virtual Museum of Stolen Cultural Objects, a global project that brings together 250 cultural objects from 56 countries in its inaugural gallery, is now “open.”
Designed by the African architect Diebedo Francis Kéré, winner of the Pritzker Prize, the museum was designed with a natural color palette and created to raise awareness about the illegal trade in cultural goods worldwide. The items were selected from the Interpol database.
Ernesto Ottone, Director-General of UNESCO, quoted by Lusa, stressed that stolen cultural goods “wound the collective memory,” break chains of cultural transmission between generations, and “prevent science from evolving” by concealing knowledge.
The museum’s concept is based on the baobab tree, a symbol of resilience for many African communities. “A tree has roots, a trunk, and a crown – we see the trunk and the crown, but the roots remain hidden, providing stability and support. Cultural heritage is the roots of communities, and its loss deprives the community of the foundations for development, well-being, and happiness,” the architect noted.
Although virtual design offers more creative freedom, Kéré sought to create a simple and understandable design for visitors, allowing them to establish an emotional connection with the museum’s objects.
The Virtual Museum of Stolen Cultural Objects, created by UNESCO in partnership with Interpol, was presented by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and can be visited at https://museum.unesco.org/.
Written by: Eduardo Quive
