An ancient Egyptian mummy called Shep-en-Isis who was the daughter of a priest lies in the St Gallen Abbey Library. But does she really belong in St Gallen? While she is silent on the matter our readers had a lot to say on this sensitive issue.
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Shep-en-Isis belongs in her country of origin. This is obvious to anyone who condemns colonialism and the theft of cultural heritage and identity. Like Milo Rau and many others, I hope Switzerland and all countries that have illegally and illegitimately acquired cultural property from elsewhere give the artefacts back. Every country, every people and every civilisation has the inalienable right to protect and showcase its own history, heritage and wealth – including art, culture, natural resources, human expertise, etc.
If it is important to the Egyptians, Shep-en-Isis’s mummy should be returned to Egypt – no question. The time is long gone when European countries keeping cultural objects from foreign lands could be acceptable.
Should we return all these cultural artefacts? Or can we just accept that some cultural property will always end up elsewhere around the world? In my opinion, having some artefacts outside their country of origin can act as a cultural conduit. Nor do I think it is a bad thing to be able to view and admire such artefacts without having to travel halfway around the world. Doing so can also make people want to discover more about their own country.
Luckily, I have never come across a noisy Egyptian mummy. But wow, do they attract a lot of outside noise.
Simple and straightforward? Not without e-voting. And not when voting papers arrive months later or not at all! E-voting needs to be introduced as quickly as possible – for the Swiss Abroad at least. I don’t see what the big issue is.
Where I live, you are lucky to receive anything at all by post. In 15 years, I have not received my voting papers once! E-voting is, therefore, the only way for me to participate in elections and popular votes.
Here in Colombia, I receive my voting papers months after the actual vote has taken place!
Comments
Comments :
Diesmal doppelt interessant:
#1) Die hübsche Schepenese ist mir bekannt von meinen Jugendjahren in St.Gallen und Student der Katholischen Kantons Realschule. Unser Schulzimmer war direkt über dem Sarkophag und Besuche der Stiftbibliothek waren jährliche Ereignisse. Wer hätte damals geglaubt, dass diese Ruhestätte einmal ein internationales Problem erwecken könnte.
#2) Rätoromanisch ist, obwohl in St.Gallen aufgewachsen (in Ilanz geboren) und teil einer 10 köpfigen Familie, immer noch unsere Sprache, die wir unter uns brauchen. Unser Rumontsch wurde so wie eine Art Dialekt, ich habe Mühe das echte Romanisch zu Lesen und zu Verstehen.
Ich wanderte 1954 nach Canada aus, jetzt im Ruhestand mit meiner Gattin Hildegard in West Vancouver BC und gute Familien in der Nähe.
Guerre en Ukraine: débat sur les munitions suisses (Revue Suisse 2/2023):
J'ai pris connaissance avec intérêt des quelques lignes consacrées à cette affaire dans le dernier numéro de la Revue Suisse. Je m'étonne que du matériel déclassé soit mis à la casse et que des munitions soient refusées à l'Ukraine en raison de la neutralité de la Suisse. Neutralité qui n'a pas empêché l'État Fédéral de fournir l'Allemagne nazie (en guerre) en canons, munitions, et de permettre la traversée ferroviaire nocturne et camouflée du pays vers l'Italie par du matériel militaire et de contingents allemands...