Director of the British Museum announces his resignation

Hartwig Fischer announces he is leaving post after 8 years

German historian Hartwig Fischer, who led the British Museum for 8 years, resigns. He was appointed to this post in 2016, so that under his leadership a master plan for the reconstruction of the museum was developed. The decision was resonant, because Fisher became the first foreigner to head the British Museum.

He managed a lot, in particular, to put in order the gallery of the countries of China and South Asia, the Japanese gallery and the gallery of the Islamic world. However, the main reconstruction project will be ready by autumn. At the same time, an international architectural competition will take place. Among the tasks is the construction of a giant research complex and a storage facility. Why is Fischer leaving now? Have the environmental activists finished it?

In early June, Hartwig terminated the partnership and sponsorship agreement with oil and gas company BP. The decision was made under pressure from a campaign of eco-activists who, for the second year in a row, have been pestering not only Britain, but all of Europe with their regular actions. However, in London, their pressure is felt most strongly: there is not even a week when the fighters for the rejection of oil and gas do not stage some kind of action in London.

Last year, for example, the opening of the BBC Proms music festival was disrupted. In the speech where Fischer announced his retirement, the topic also slipped through. True, he tried to focus on something else.

“Repair work will take several decades, but the mission entrusted to me has been completed: the foundations of the master plan have been laid. This will serve as the basis for all subsequent work and form the basis for innovative concepts for the future exhibition. I am excited to take the next step in my career, going beyond the institutional confines of a single museum, to be involved in the rescue and conservation of cultural heritage in times of climate crisis, conflict, war and violence,” Fisher said.

The architectural competition for the reconstruction will take place in autumn. At the same time, Fisher, together with the council of the British Museum, will begin to select a successor to the post of director. The German historian will finally step down from his duties at the beginning of 2024. It seems that Hartwig Fischer is waiting for a more serious position.