On December 5, 2024, a groundbreaking event symbolized the strengthening cultural cooperation between Russia and Africa: a cultural telebridge organized by the Russia-Africa Club of Moscow State University, supported by the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum. This event, which connected Moscow, Ouagadougou, Yaoundé, and several other African countries, focused on the creation and development of the Museum of African Cultures in Moscow.

This ambitious museum project will be the first institution outside Africa entirely dedicated to African cultures. It will be established on the foundation of the renowned Museum of Oriental Art in Moscow, which already holds a collection of about 1,100 African art pieces. According to Ilya Vyacheslavovich Ilyin, Dean of the Faculty of Global Processes at Moscow State University, the creation of this museum is a strategic step toward strengthening cultural and humanitarian cooperation between Russia and Africa. It aligns with the « Priority Measures for Africa » announced by the Russian President in 2020, which aims to boost exchanges in cultural and scientific fields.

The telebridge brought together a wide range of participants, including diplomats, museum representatives, academics, and members of the African diaspora. These experts discussed the goals and prospects of the future museum, which aims to become a cultural bridge between Africa and Russia. For Tatiana Dovgalenko, Special Ambassador of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this museum will be a vital tool to raise awareness of African cultures in Russia, while also providing Africa a global platform to showcase its rich heritage.

African participants, including Professor Michel Ndoh from Cameroon, emphasized the importance of this project for the continent. They stressed that the Museum of African Cultures in Moscow should not only be a place of exhibition but also a space for research and cultural diplomacy. By highlighting African history and cultures from a fresh perspective, the museum could help dismantle stereotypes and deconstruct Eurocentric views of the African continent.

His Majesty Mbombog Malet Ma Ndjami, Director General of the Palace of African Culture and Arts, highlighted the role of museums as « guardians of memory. » He noted that cooperation with Russia would provide new opportunities to preserve African heritage and rewrite history through national artworks, showcasing an Africa that is proud and sovereign in its past.

The telebridge also highlighted several projects related to the museum’s creation, such as the preparation of exhibitions on Cameroon and Mali, slated for 2025. The involvement of African museums in this initiative is crucial to ensure that the collections genuinely reflect the continent’s diversity and richness. One objective is to organize exchanges of artifacts, with promises of restitution after a certain period.

In conclusion, this cultural telebridge marked a significant milestone in Russia-Africa cultural relations. The Museum of African Cultures in Moscow is set to be a place of exchange and dialogue, strengthening ties between the two regions and offering a platform for African creativity. Through this initiative, Russia and Africa solidify their cooperation in the museum sector, fostering greater cultural exchange and enhancing the global appreciation of African heritage.

Jean Bosco BELL