UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
11/22/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 11/22/2024 12:31
UNESCO welcomes the launch of the restitution process of the “Djidji Ayokwê” drum
UNESCO welcomes the signature of the deposit agreement on November 18, 2024 in Paris, France, between the governments of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire and the Republic of France. The historic agreement paves the way for the return of the "Djidji Ayokwê" drum, known as the "tambour parleur", to Côte d'Ivoire. It was signed by the Minister of Culture of France, Ms Rachida Dati, and by the Minister of Culture and Francophony of Côte d'Ivoire, Ms Françoise Remarck.
Following the announcement by the President of the French Republic, Mr. Emmanuel Macron, during the new Africa-France summit in October 2021, major research work was initiated by French and Ivorian scientific experts, as well as representatives of the Atchans communities.. The joint work between the countries has enabled to initiate the return process of this valuable cultural property to Côte d'Ivoire.
UNESCO welcomes the announcement of the return of the Tambour parleur 'Djidji Ayokwê' to Côte d'Ivoire, result of a strengthened dialogue and fruitful, broader, forward-looking international cooperation between France and Côte d'Ivoire. This commitment is also in line with initiatives supported by UNESCO. Indeed, it echoes the MONDIACULT 2022 Declaration and the dialogues on the new forms of agreement and cooperation on the return and restitution of cultural property that UNESCO is promoting. The next edition of this inclusive dialogue will take place in Ethiopia in January 2025, reflecting the continent's ongoing efforts in this field as well as the upcoming African Union Theme of the Year 'Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations.
Ernesto Ottone R., Assistant Director-General for Culture of UNESCO
In addition to the return process, the agreement strengthens the pre-existing robust cultural cooperation between the two States, with the aim of highlighting priority issues in the fields of heritage and museums, cultural and creative industries and contemporary creation, as well as the need to respect the cultural rights of peoples. France also underlined its commitment to supporting the project for the modernization of the Musée des Civilisations de Côte d'Ivoire, where the "Djidji Ayokwê" drum will be conserved and exhibited.
France and Côte d'Ivoire have both ratified the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property. Their cooperation is in line with the objective of the UNESCO 1970 Convention, and responds to UNESCO's call for dialogues and collaboration between Member States.