The library of the Wallonia-Brussels center in Kinshasa has just undergone a new development which will enrich its shelves. Indeed, a special section was inaugurated this Wednesday, dedicated to the publications of the Royal Museum of Central Africa (MRAC) located in Tervuren, in Belgium. This collaboration between the two institutions has existed for nearly 20 years, thus allowing the regular transfer of new publications from the museum to the Kinshasa library.
From now on, all RMCA publications will arrive in Kinshasa within two months of their availability. In addition, some of the works are also accessible on the museum’s website. The head of the RMCA publications department, Isabelle Gérard, points out that in the 125 years of existence of the museum, no less than 1,850 books have been published, a large part of which has been digitized for greater accessibility. Among these books, many are devoted to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), its history, its tribes, and many other subjects.
This novelty aroused the joy and enthusiasm of Richard Ali, head of the library of the Wallonia-Brussels center in Kinshasa. He affirms that this new collection enriches not only the library, but also the readers who will now have access to a valuable collection on the publications of the Royal Museum for Central Africa.
Access to the library of the Wallonia-Brussels center in Kinshasa is conditional on the payment of a modest amount, ranging from 1,000 to 1,500 Congolese francs per year, thus making this resource accessible to all.
This collaboration between the RMCA and the Kinshasa library will allow researchers and students to have easier access to book resources and to continue their research work. Isabelle Gérard underlines the importance of this access to knowledge for Congolese researchers and also highlights the ongoing work on the restitution of works of art from the DRC housed at the RMCA. A team of researchers in Belgium and the DRC is currently working on the identification and provenance of the collections, as part of a reconstitution and restitution process.
In conclusion, this new collaboration between the RMCA and the Kinshasa library is a major step forward in sharing knowledge and promoting Congolese culture. Researchers and students will now have access to a rich and varied collection on the history and culture of the DRC, while contributing to efforts to restore the country’s works of art.