Noémie Etienne Appointed to Swiss Federal Commission on Historically Burdened Cultural Heritage

We are pleased to share that Noémie Etienne, Professor of Art History at the University of Vienna, has been appointed as a member of the Swiss Federal Commission on Historically Burdened Cultural Heritage.

The commission was formally appointed by the Swiss Federal Council on 28 January 2026. It will advise the Federal Council and the federal administration on questions related to historically burdened cultural heritage and may be consulted in disputed cases. The commission is mandated to issue non-binding recommendations concerning artworks from the period of National Socialism and cultural property from colonial contexts.

The independent commission brings together experts from law, history, art history, provenance research, museology, and ethnology, ensuring an interdisciplinary approach aligned with international standards. It will be chaired by former Federal Councillor Simonetta Sommaruga, with Felix Uhlmann serving as Vice President.

The commission was established in response to a parliamentary motion and will officially begin its work on 1 March 2026. In its initial phase, it will define its working methods and procedures for consultation.

We warmly congratulate Noémie Etienne on this important appointment and look forward to her contributions to shaping ethical and responsible approaches to contested cultural heritage.