Feature
Africa abroad
AFRICAN MUSEUM OF LYON
The oldest museum in France specifically dedicated to Africa, the African
Museum of Lyon (Musée Africain) was founded in 1863 by the Société des
Missions Africaines as a place for missionaries to send African items of
interest back to France.
T
he huge collection of artifacts
includes items such as ritual
masks, statues and musical
instruments from diverse cultural
groups like the Dogon of Mali and
Ashanti of Ghana. The museum has
been curated into exhibits based
on three categories: Everyday
Life, Social Life and Religious Life.
The focus on West African culture
makes for an interesting introduction to anyone
interested in the region.
With 750 square metres of museum space
on three levels and more than 2 000 African
objects on display, the museum provides a lot
to see. There is also an exhibition room for
original temporary exhibits, both ancient and
contemporary. When you visit, make sure to
look out for the regular creative workshops for
kids and adults. The museum welcome 10 000
visitors each year.
Planned for 2017 is an exhibition of photographs
taken between 1930 and 1950 by Jacques
Bertho during his mission in Western Africa, a
valuable testimony of a cultural heritage
Located on 150 Cours Gambetta, the African
Museum of Lyon is accessible via tram 4, which
can be taken to Manufacture-Montluc. The metro
can also be taken to Garibaldi station. Admission
costs 8 euros, and the museum is open
Wednesday through Sunday from 2pm to 6pm.
Its library, containing over 7 000 documents,
is open to all Wednesday through Friday from
2:30pm to 6pm. AD
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africandesignmagazine.com