A Nigerian man addresses a packed room during the opening. The picture looks inspiring, due to the beautiful colours in the room and the light.
Back to Benin opening, Museum de Fundatie Zwolle, 2026, photography: Veenstra Visueel

Back to Benin: The making of

the making of
Back to Benin

"This stolen bronze mudfish is going back to Benin City, but first it will get a grand farewell," wrote the Volkskrant on 19 February 2026. What did this grand farewell look like and what was the journey here? You find out here: from the trip to Nigeria to the festive opening in Zwolle. 

A trip to Nigeria

In November 2025, director-director Beatrice von Bormann and curator Aude Christel Mgba travelled to Nigeria. There, they met the artists involved, researched the Benin Bronzes and participated in the restitution ceremony. 

A group photo of people from Nigeria and Beatrice van Bormann and Aude Christel Mgba

Back to Benin: The Making of

The grand opening: from Nigeria to Zwolle
Two men embrace at a festive opening.
The Fundation's director addresses a group during the opening.
Two Nigerian men talk to a woman and laugh during the opening of Back to Benin.
An artist tells a visitor about her iron statue.
A woman takes a picture in front of a red wall that reads Back to Benin
Two people look at a wall full of small pictures of people.
People talk during the opening.
An artist stands by his painting and gives an explanation to a group of visitors.
Photography: Veenstra Visual

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