# Swedish Museums Restitute Looted Artifacts to Nigeria and Bolivia Sweden returns stolen Benin bronzes and pre-Columbian sacred objects to their countries of origin. - **Source:** [The Art Newspaper](https://www.theartnewspaper.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-09 - **Topic:** [culture](https://brifing.si/c/culture) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/3b7745d0-2ad8-4c2d-b657-90971af184eb ## Formal Restitution Process Initiated The National Museums of World Culture in Sweden have officially begun returning looted cultural artifacts to Nigeria and Bolivia. This process follows a government decision made three years ago to honor restitution requests. The handover ceremonies mark a significant shift in how Swedish institutions manage collections acquired through historical violence and theft. ## Return of Benin Bronzes Thirty-nine Benin objects, originally looted by British troops in 1897, were formally returned to Nigeria. These artifacts were previously held by the former Swedish Museum of Natural History in Stockholm. While most items were repatriated, six pieces will remain in Sweden on a ten-year loan agreement to facilitate ongoing cultural exchange. ## Repatriation of Bolivian Artifacts Seventy-seven sacred objects from the Niño Korin village in Bolivia were transported from storage in Gothenburg to the National Museum of Archaeology in La Paz. These items, dating to the Tiwanaku period between 600 and 1000 AD, were stolen by grave robbers in the 1970s and subsequently sold to the Swedish museum. ## Addressing Colonial Legacies Curator Michael Barrett emphasized that returning these items is essential for addressing colonial legacies of violence and exploitation. He noted that museums must become more responsive to communities with direct historical ties to their collections. This approach aims to build trust with modern audiences by fostering an environment of empathy and mutual respect. ## Depoliticized Decision Making Researcher Staffan Lundén observed that the restitution process in Sweden was largely depoliticized compared to other nations. The decision was supported by the right-wing government, which viewed the return as a matter of common sense and moral justice. This reflects Sweden's self-perception as a progressive country that takes international responsibility for past actions. ## Broader European Restitution Trends Sweden joins a growing list of European nations returning unethically acquired objects. Germany transferred a substantial collection of Benin bronzes to Nigeria in 2022, while the Netherlands returned 119 similar objects in 2025. These collective actions highlight a shifting international standard regarding the ethical management of museum collections and historical cultural property. ## Divergent International Approaches While some institutions like Cambridge University have returned legal ownership of their collections, others remain resistant. The British Museum has ruled out the immediate restitution of its stolen treasures, opting instead for collaborative arrangements. This contrast underscores the lack of a unified global policy for handling artifacts acquired through historical colonial looting. ## Future Museum Practices The successful return of these artifacts serves as a model for future museum practices worldwide. By prioritizing relationships with origin communities, institutions hope to transform into spaces that celebrate humanity's cultural achievements. Moving forward, the focus remains on maintaining respectful dialogues and ensuring that historical collections are managed with transparency and integrity. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2026/11/09/swedish-museums-restitute-objects-to-nigeria-and-bolivia — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._