Tenerife Symposium Leads Global Debate on Museum Decolonization and Artifact Restitution
The Heritage Diasporas symposium in Tenerife has convened international experts to advance the global debate on museum decolonization and the restitution of cultural artifacts, including the island's push to recover the Mummy of Erques.
Tenerife has become a key stage for the global debate on museum decolonization and the return of cultural artifacts. The international symposium Heritage Diasporas, currently being held at TEA Tenerife Espacio de las Artes, highlights the archipelago's ambition to lead the conversation on how archaeological restitution policies are shaped worldwide.
The event brings together experts from 13 countries, moving the discussion beyond academia and into the realm of regional politics. Migdalia Machín, the Minister of Universities, Science, Innovation and Culture, joined Tenerife Island Council President Rosa Dávila and councilor José Carlos Acha to call for international cooperation to help return items vital to the island’s identity. A primary goal for the island’s leadership is the recovery of the Mummy of Erques, currently held at the National Archaeological Museum in Madrid. Officials describe this effort as a matter of historical justice, scientific integrity, and institutional cooperation.
Archaeologist Jorge Onrubia, a member of the symposium’s scientific committee, noted that the Canary Islands’ unique geography and history provide a perfect vantage point for examining how cultural legacies have been dispersed over time. The conference explores the power dynamics behind historical collections and the modern ethical challenges of displaying human remains.
The event runs through Friday and features representatives from major institutions, including the British Museum, the Musée de l’Homme, and the Weltmuseum Wien, as well as delegates from Mexico, Peru, Cuba, and Egypt. The symposium will conclude with the signing of the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Declaration, which aims to set a framework for future international collaboration. The closing will also feature an art installation by Yapci Ramos, Monumenta. Nine Guanche Incarnations, which explores the role of women in pre-Hispanic history.
Canary Islands President Fernando Clavijo will open the final session, which focuses on the study of dispersed bioanthropological collections. The public can watch the presentations live on the Canary Islands Cultural Heritage YouTube channel, and further details are available on the symposium’s website.