The question of the restitution of Congolese cultural objects preserved by Belgian and European institutions emerges as a subject of complex and nuanced debate, relating to issues of historical justice, legislation and diplomacy. During an event in Kinshasa, the anthropologist Lies Busselen highlighted the limits of Belgian laws on restitution, which are based on sometimes restrictive criteria, making the repatriation of objects in the history of often blurred acquisition. This call for collective education on the colonial past and a more open dialogue between Belgium and the Democratic Republic of the Congo testifies to a need for recognition of historical injustices and a search for reconciliation. In a context where other European countries are faced with similar dilemmas, restitution asserts itself as a process which calls for a collective reflection involving various social, legal and cultural actors. The current dynamics invite to consider possible ways towards a future enriched by a shared understanding of cultural stories and heritage.
Category: History
The 2025 Cannes Film Festival was marked by the presentation of “The coming of the future”, the latest film by Cédric Klapisch, which is distinguished by its personal and societal approach. In a context where the challenges of memory and identity are at the heart of contemporary concerns, Klapisch’s work questions our relationship to history and explores how it shapes the aspirations of current generations. This film, which mixes social chronicle and historical elements, is accompanied by a promising young distribution, allowing to give a voice to the concerns of the youngest. Beyond its cinematographic aspect, “the arrival of the future” is part of an essential dialogue on the challenges of the present and the implications for the future, inviting to reflect on the responsibilities that we share towards the generations to come.
In a context of persistent tensions between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, the analysis of historical events, in particular Rwandan genocide, emerges as a crucial tool to consider future relations. Recently, Roland Ngoie, an international lobbyist, stressed the importance of this reflection during an interview, inviting to explore how collective memory and historical flaws can influence the current dynamics between these two nations. By evoking the tragedies of the past, he looks at shared responsibilities, while calling for an introspection necessary to promote a constructive dialogue. This call for a calm and nuanced examination of history could draw ways towards reconciliation and cooperation, essential for the construction of a serene future in the region.
On May 17, 2025, the Democratic Republic of Congo dedicated a day of commemoration to the Armed Forces (FARDC), an initiative that highlighted complex issues linked to national history and the conception of patriotism. While the Deputy Prime Minister of Defense, Guy Kabombo, stressed the importance of paying tribute to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the defense of the country, this ceremony arouses questions about the way in which the past, marked by internal conflicts and contemporary challenges, influences collective memory. In a context where self -defense groups, such as Wazalendo, emerge alongside official forces, the question of legitimacy and the role of each actor in national security becomes crucial. By revisiting this memory, the DRC is invited to reflect on its national identity and to consider a future based on peace and reconciliation, while integrating the many voices that participate in its history.
The situation in Kasai, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, raises complex issues around a territorial dispute between the Kele and Luba communities. This conflict, which could seem local, is part of a larger history of ethnic tensions and fluctuating delimitations of the territories, often influenced by past administrative decisions and colonial inheritances. Faced with this challenge, a recent meeting between local deputies and the president of the National Assembly seeks to promote peaceful solutions, emphasizing the importance of an inclusive dialogue to appease rivalries. In this context, peaceful security and cohabitation issues appear essential, inviting to think about best practices to guarantee sustainable solutions adapted to the realities of the communities concerned.
On May 12, 2023 marked a significant turning point in the history of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which announced its dissolution after more than forty years of armed struggle against the Turkish state, a conflict that cost more than 40,000 people. This decision raises crucial questions about the future of the Kurdish issue and the possibilities of political solutions in a region long marked by tensions. The PKK expresses in its press release a desire to see the Kurdish question addressed by “democratic policies”, inviting to reflect on the conditions necessary for such an evolution. In this context, the implications for the dialogue between the Kurds and the Turkish state, as well as regional relations, deserve particular attention, as well as the potential role of education and recognition of injustices spent in the process of reconciliation. This announcement opens the way to an exploration of mechanisms that can promote peaceful coexistence, while emphasizing the need for mutual commitment to overcome decades of conflict.
On May 9, 2023, Russia celebrated the 80th anniversary of its victory over Nazism, a commemoration of a significant symbolic and political significance. This ceremony, marked by an imposing military parade on the Red Square of Moscow, offers a framework to explore the contemporary issues that surround it. Rooted in a poignant historical heritage, this national holiday is also a powerful vector for the Kremlin, which uses it to strengthen its discourse on the defense of the fatherland, particularly in the context of the conflict in Ukraine. While bringing together international figures, the event raises reflections on how history is mobilized to shape the current identity of Russia and its geopolitical relations. Thus, this celebration questions the interactions between collective memory, patriotism and political dynamics, at a time of increasing tensions in Eastern Europe.
The anniversary of May 8, 1945 aroused contrasting resonances between Europe and Algeria, each of the two regions with a singular look at this historic event. While Europe celebrates its victory over fascism, Algeria commemorates the tragic massacres which took place on the same day, marking a brutal repression of the aspirations of a colonized people. This context reveals a collective memory responsible for pain and quest for justice, and raises questions about the recognition of experienced suffering. The efforts of reconciliation and dialogue between France and Algeria, illustrated by the visit of French parliamentarians in Algiers, indicate a desire to advance together. However, the path to a mutual understanding remains strewn with pitfalls, inviting to reflect on how to build a relationship based on respect for divergent memories and the hope of a shared future.
May 8, 1945 was an emblematic date in the history of Europe, marking the end of the Second World War with the capitulation of Nazi Germany. While in France it is celebrated as a symbol of liberation, in Germany, this day arouses a nuanced reflection, oscillating between commemoration of past horrors and quest for reconciliation. In a context where Berlin has decided to make this day a public holiday from 2025, it is interesting to explore the implications of this initiative, both on the collective duty of memory and on the contributions to a dialogue of peace and understanding between generations and nations. This development raises questions about how modern societies apprehend their historical trauma and the way in which they can envisage a common future, while honoring the memory of those who have suffered.
The period of the Second World War in France, especially under the Vichy regime, presents a particularly complex context for religious institutions, traditionally anchored in moral and ethical values. While the country was immersed in a climate of terror and oppression, these institutions had to navigate between acts of collaboration sometimes perceived as necessary and moral resistance in the face of increasing injustices. This article proposes to explore this duality, by highlighting the religious figures which have risen against roundups and persecution, as well as the ethical issues which result from it. Through their actions and words, these actors have sought to reaffirm the importance of moral engagement in times of crisis, thus raising relevant questions for the contemporary challenges that spiritual institutions still encounter in their roles of guide and defense of human dignity.