Most major Western museums retain artifacts taken through colonial violence, not benevolent preservation. Drawing on interviews with directors, advocates, and officials across four continents, this episode examines how the “universal heritage” argument sustains colonial power and how education shapes public acceptance. We analyze historical policy delays, contested restitution frameworks, and why communities from formerly colonized regions overwhelmingly demand unconditional return. A cross-disciplinary lens—history, anthropology, ethics, and cultural policy—reveals practical and moral failures of custodial narratives and outlines participant-led solutions for repatriation.

What We'll Discuss:
- 🏛️ Colonial acquisition and museum narratives
- 🌍 How education shapes restitution views
- ⚖️ Restitution models: return vs. shared stewardship
- 🧭 Case studies of recent repatriations
- ✊ Community-led cultural sovereignty demands
- 🔁 Concrete actions listeners can take

📃 Access the full research here：
Museums of Theft: Debunking the "Universal Heritage" Myth

About Atypica
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