Tribute to Hugues HEUMEN TCHANA, director of the National Museum of Cameroon.
He was one of the founding members of the Provenance research fund, which he supported with his thoughtful guidance and exceptional commitment. Hugues Heumen Tchana passed away at the age of 48.
We are grateful for all the moments of collegial exchange we had the chance to share with Hugues Heumen Tchana. His commitment to fair dialogue between African and European museums made an invaluable contribution to this collective project. His forward-thinking and demanding perspective will remain present in our future work. Hugues Heumen Tchana was a wonderful colleague and friend to all other members of the council and to the fund’s team.
Deeply attached to Cameroon, he took over as director of the National Museum in Yaoundé in 2020, where he pursued a resolutely international approach. He was part of the group of museum directors established in Dakar in April 2023, working to strengthen museum cooperation between Africa and Europe. Hugues Heumen Tchana was also a teacher and researcher in museology who was committed to passing on knowledge to future generations.
The team of the Provenance Research Fund, its scientific council, the Centre Marc Bloch, the ministère de la Culture, the ministère de l’Europe et des Affaires étrangères as well as the Beauftragter der Bundesregierung für Kultur und Medien and the Bundesministerium für Forschung, Technologie und Raumfahrt pay tribute to an outstanding professional in the field of culture and heritage.
We extend our heartfelt thoughts and sincere condolences to his family, loved ones, and the team at the National Museum of Cameroon.
Souleymane Bachir DIAGNE
Felicity BODENSTEIN
Emmanuel KASARHÉROU
Antoinette MAGET-DOMINICÉ
Nzila Marina MUBUSISI
Barbara PLANKENSTEINER
Émilie SALABERRY
Bénédicte SAVOY
Julie SISSIA
Philon GRIESEL