'Nefertiti Stays in Berlin!' Germany Confirms Once More

Nefertiti should never leaver Berlin - she's a fantastic ambassador for Egypt. Read my blog for more...

NEFERTITI IN SPLENDID ISOLATION?

The intensive and extensive publicity surrounding the re-opening of the Neues Museum in Berlin and the renewed demands by Zahi Hawass made it inevitable that all those interested in restitution of looted/stolen cultural objects would pay attention to the recent celebration of the renovated museum on the Museums Island in Berlin.

We were prepared to see a large number of persons at the opening of the museum but we did not expect the massive crowd we met on our arrival. Tickets for the museum were sold out and one had to buy tickets for the next day and to come at a definite time. The interest of the public, both German and foreign, was evident. Most of the crowd came essentially to see Nefertiti in her new surroundings.

Readers know the story of the bust of the Egyptian Queen that was surreptitiously taken away in 1912 from Egypt by the German archaeologist Ludwig Borchardt under circumstances not fully clarified and which has been a subject of contention between the Germans and the Egyptians for decades.

When we finally managed to see Nefertiti, we were shocked to see her in a semi- dark room where she appeared lonelier than ever. In perhaps, a typical African reaction, I asked myself where her husband, her relatives and servants were. A queen without company or servants? Later on we realized that members of her family, her husband Akhenaten, her mother-in-law, the impressive and beautiful Tiye .were in an ante-chamber leading to the dark location of Nefertiti. In her previous location, in the Alte Museum, Nefertiti was in a well-lighted hall with her relatives.

Our greatest surprise was to realize that Nefertiti was not alone in the small hall despite press information that she was returning to a palace of her own. Lurking in the semi-darkness was a figure, obviously non-Egyptian and in modern European attire. On close examination, we realized that this was the bust of James Simon, the great benefactor of the museum who financed the
excavations of Ludwig Borchardt in Amarna that resulted in Nefertiti being
sneaked to Germany. One can understand the desire of the German museum officials to honour their great benefactor. However, it is legitimate to question whether he has more rights to be presented with Nefertiti in a separate room, to the exclusion of her husband Akhenaten and her mother-in-law, Tiye. Is Simon more related to the Egyptian Queen than the Egyptian pharaoh who made her queen and hence important for Egyptian history? Many non-Europeans will be surprised by the presentation of Nefertiti in semi-obscurity with a man who is neither her husband nor relative. It is true though that Europeans and European museum directors are not overly concerned with the sensitivities of non-Europeans whose cultures they display in the museums. They expect all of us to possess European sensitivities, tolerance or lack thereof in such matters even
though a little reflection would demonstrate the absurdity of such expectations.

If the proverbial arrogance and stubbornness of the museum directors would permit, here is a case where they should make immediate correction and move the bust of Simon to a more appropriate place. There is clearly a lapse here. The importance and significance of James Simon for the Museums Island cannot be signalled by putting their great benefactor in the shadow of Nefertiti, however important she may be. Simon, unlike some of the museum directors, was not a worshipper of Nefertiti.

Or are we dealing here with another history? The kind of history or story which Neil MacGregor, director of the British Museum, proposed to write for the looted/stolen objects in the British Museum? Perhaps this is an implementation of the assertion of the Declaration on the Value and Importance of Universal Museums (1982) that the looted foreign objects in European museums have become part of the history and culture of those countries where they are located. An assertion unsupported by an evidence of the culture of those countries.

It is also interesting to note that the excavations at Amarna, financed by Simon, brought to Germany many more other objects in addition to the bust of Nefertiti. So why concentrate on one object rather than the whole lot? Recognition to the museums benefactor should surely be linked to the whole collection rather than to one object. It is also ironical that Simon who gave the bust to the museum was willing to return it to the Egyptians in exchange for artefacts that Egypt was offering in accordance with German requirements. Simon published an open letter in the "Berliner Tageblatt" of 28th June 1930, in favour of an exchange of Nefertiti for other sculptures. He referred to other Egyptian artefacts which were, from the artistic point of view, more accomplished than the bust of the Egyptian Queen In a contribution entitled, “Egyptian Museum and Papyrus Collection”, Dietrich Wildung, Director, State Museums of Berlin, wrote:
“In 1930 Egypt suggested an exchange of the Nefertiti for superior quality objects from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. James Simon was in favour of the suggestion, as he hoped that it would enable Germany to resume excavations in Egypt that had been interrupted in 1914 and thus place the country back on the international stage of Middle East archaeology.”

If it is desired to acknowledge the immense contribution that James Simon made to German culture and specifically to the museums, his bust should be removed from obscurity, from the shadow of Nefertiti, and placed openly at a visible position in the museum. One could suggest to the Germans: if you really want to honour the great benefactor, return Nefertiti to the Egyptians as Simon had wanted in his open letter of 28 June 1930 in the Berliner Tageblatt. The present representation of Simon in the museums smacks of half-heartedness and reluctance. The obvious inconsistencies here seem to indicate profound difficulties in recognizing or denying the undoubted contributions of James Simon. It should be mentioned that in the Master plan for the Museums Island 2015, it is projected to build a James Simon Gallery which will surely be a more fitting recognition than placing his bust in the shadow of Nefertiti.

Germany has not yet officially reacted to the latest demand of Zahi Hawass for the return of the bust of Nofreteti. However considering the number of Egyptian artefacts that the Germans have, it seems rather shameful that they should continue such a dispute with Egypt. How many German artefacts do the Egyptians have? Have the Germans considered the possibility of sending some of their important historical objects and documents to Egypt? Does international cooperation only work one way? Westerners should reflect on the number of Egyptian and other African artefacts they have accumulated in their museums before they argue with Africans about restitution.

Germans should also consider the fact that in retaining the bust of Nefertiti, they are confirming the decision of their notorious murderous leader Adolf Hitler. They are not fulfilling the wishes of James Simon who paid for the excavations that eventually brought Nefertiti to Germany.

On the main issue of restitution of stolen/looted African cultural artefacts, one can see all the expositions in Berlin without a hint that Egypt is requesting the return of Nefertiti and that Nigeria has been demanding the return of some of the Benin bronzes. There is no where mention of this issue in the presentations. Is this scientifically acceptable? Is this not a partial and partisan rendition of the reality of cultural relations between Europe and Africa when major demands of Africans are ignored through silence or omission? Even in an area where morality appears to have been banned by Europeans, should scholars not tell the full story? Are the demands by Egypt, Ethiopia and Nigeria not part of cultural relations and the reality of our times?

Germany and other Western States may build as many museums and palaces for artefacts such as Nefertiti, Rosetta Stone and the Benin Bronzes but so long as the legitimacy of their possessions, mostly looted with violence, threat of violence or transferred under dubious circumstances, has not been clarified, so long will they face questions and criticisms. The issue will not go away by refusing dialogue with the original owners. New generations of successors will persevere in demands which cannot be abandoned without denial of one‘s self-respect and identity in the face of constant denigration and arrogance from the Western States that are not willing to admit the commission of wrongful acts in an earlier period in their history. Whilst it may be possible to pardon former imperialists and colonialists who acted according to the beliefs and circumstances of their times, it is very difficult to see any valid grounds for the conduct of their successors. Some pretend to abjure the practices and beliefs of the past but are not prepared to part with any of the fruits of the illegitimate and cruel activities of their predecessors.

It is only on the assumption that fairness, morality, harmonious international relations, resolutions of UNESCO and the United Nations are irrelevant to issues of restitution that States such as Germany, France, Great Britain, United States, Belgium and the Netherlands can afford to argue with Egypt, Ethiopia, Nigeria and other States about the restitution of looted/stolen cultural objects.

 Quick update: Egypt issues official repatriation request to Berlin, seeking the return of painted bust of Queen Nefertiti