UNESCO Virtual Museum of Stolen Cultural Objects
Completed
2023 - 2025
Francis Kéré
Andrea Maretto, Josh Greene
Makemepulse
UNESCO
The UNESCO Virtual Museum project is a response to UNESCO's increasing commitment to prioritize combating the illicit trafficking of cultural property worldwide, especially through the 1970 UNESCO Convention. This initiative was officially announced by Audrey Azoulay, the Director-General of UNESCO, during MONDIACULT 2022, a gathering of over 150 countries to develop a roadmap for strengthening cultural policies. This interactive museum is set to open its virtual doors in mid-2025 and has a clear mission: to raise awareness among UNESCO Member States, the general public, and the younger generation about the significant issue of illicit cultural property trafficking, which is central to UNESCO's mission.
In its initial phase, the UNESCO Virtual Museum will exhibit hundreds of artworks listed by INTERPOL, showcasing culturally significant items. The theft or disappearance of these artifacts represents a substantial loss to the cultural heritage of communities and nations. This museum is a pivotal element in UNESCO's efforts to educate and inform the general public, particularly the youth, about the illicit trade in cultural properties.
UNESCO's deliberate choice to collaborate with Francis Kéré, a renowned Burkinabé architect, stems from his dedication to designing sustainable buildings using innovative, locally-sourced, and eco-friendly methods. The future UNESCO Museum designed by Kéré will take the form of a baobab tree, symbolizing resilience and the central role of the baobab in the lives of many African communities. The tree's roots serve as a metaphor for the foundations of our identity, encompassing both tangible and intangible aspects of cultural heritage.
Culture, much like the interdependent roots of a tree, requires nurturing. Cultural artifacts represent the roots of a community, and their theft undermines the foundation of cultural identity. The UNESCO Virtual Museum, inspired by resilience, is dedicated to educating the public about the preservation of these interconnected elements.
The UNESCO Virtual Museum project is a response to UNESCO's increasing commitment to prioritize combating the illicit trafficking of cultural property worldwide, especially through the 1970 UNESCO Convention. This initiative was officially announced by Audrey Azoulay, the Director-General of UNESCO, during MONDIACULT 2022, a gathering of over 150 countries to develop a roadmap for strengthening cultural policies. This interactive museum is set to open its virtual doors in mid-2025 and has a clear mission: to raise awareness among UNESCO Member States, the general public, and the younger generation about the significant issue of illicit cultural property trafficking, which is central to UNESCO's mission.
In its initial phase, the UNESCO Virtual Museum will exhibit hundreds of artworks listed by INTERPOL, showcasing culturally significant items. The theft or disappearance of these artifacts represents a substantial loss to the cultural heritage of communities and nations. This museum is a pivotal element in UNESCO's efforts to educate and inform the general public, particularly the youth, about the illicit trade in cultural properties.
UNESCO's deliberate choice to collaborate with Francis Kéré, a renowned Burkinabé architect, stems from his dedication to designing sustainable buildings using innovative, locally-sourced, and eco-friendly methods. The future UNESCO Museum designed by Kéré will take the form of a baobab tree, symbolizing resilience and the central role of the baobab in the lives of many African communities. The tree's roots serve as a metaphor for the foundations of our identity, encompassing both tangible and intangible aspects of cultural heritage.
Culture, much like the interdependent roots of a tree, requires nurturing. Cultural artifacts represent the roots of a community, and their theft undermines the foundation of cultural identity. The UNESCO Virtual Museum, inspired by resilience, is dedicated to educating the public about the preservation of these interconnected elements.
