Divisive cultural treasure

The columnist Pol Mathil considers threats that have been made to cancel a London exhibition of works of art from Russia's national collection. 'From Russia' is due to open at the Royal Academy of Arts on January 26th. Russia hesitated a lot before sending paintings to the U.K., because of claims from descendants of families who were looted in the 1917 revolution. "The affair goes beyond the context of the exhibition. Culture is becoming an important and sometimes controversial element of international relations. ... Often between neighbours, litigation over cultural treasures always waits for political and judicial solutions as well as, most difficult, historical ones. ... On account of these 'last prisoners of war', each party creates its own 'political and historical truth'."

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