21 - 27 June 2027 - Broad Chalke, Salisbury

Festival

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Enjoy Chalke year-round by joining the Chalke History Club, with access to past talks, exclusive online events and festival benefits. (2026 talks added in the autumn)

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Forum

Included

18:45 - 19:45
Fri, 26 June
93. The African Kingdom of Gold: Britain and the Asante Treasure
Forum

1874. Kumasi, the Asante capital, burns. British soldiers prowl the palace, looting as much gold as they can find, before razing it to the ground. In 1896 they return, looting the palace a second time and carrying off more gold to London in triumph. Royalty, aristocracy and London’s most illustrious museums divide the magnificent spoils. This powerful story of imperial ambition, African resistance and plundered relics provides Barnaby Phillips and broadcaster Afua Hirsch with a perfect springboard for a hard-hitting discussion on the enduring legacy of Empire. Join them as they grapple with complex questions concerning contested histories, the ethics of restitution, and what responsibilities museums hold today in reckoning with the past.

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The Festival will return in 2027! 21st - 27th June, 2027. Keep up to date on all the festival news, including the latest line up announcements.

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