Fifty-five (55) archeological finds of high art with historical and symbolic value, were handed over yesterday in the USA, in a special ceremony, to the Minister of Culture and Sports Lina Mendonis by Alvin Bragg, Attorney General of Manhattan. According to an announcement by the Ministry of Culture, the delivery took place in an extremely philhellenic and emotional atmosphere. These are 47 antiquities from the M. Steinhardt Collection as well as 8 prehistoric works from Thessaly, which come from another research.
Lina Mendoni, starting her speech, said that “it is a day of great happiness for Greece as 47 antiquities from the M. Steinhardt Collection return to their homeland”, as well as 8 other prehistoric works from Thessaly, which come from another research, referring to a “methodical and tireless effort” on the part of the Attorney General, with special reference to both Alvin Bragg and his predecessor, Cyrus Vance. In addition, he spoke warmly about Matthew Bogdanos and the contribution of the services of the Ministry of Culture and Sports, which provided key information that allowed the full documentation of the projects in the context of this difficult investigation.
“Your huge success is not only the antiquities that return to their countries of origin, including Greece, but the loud message to all those involved in the illegal trafficking of cultural goods, that sooner or later the time will come when illegal “Their transactions will be revealed and they themselves will be confronted with the consequences of their actions”, the minister noted. “We are deeply convinced,” added Lina Mendoni, “that the fight against the illicit trafficking of cultural property is won with patience, perseverance and method, but above all with the close cooperation of people, institutions and states that consciously fight against its great crime.” antiquity. “The illegal trafficking of the cultural treasures of our country is a serious trauma that hurts all Greeks around the world”, the minister pointed out.
Attorney General Alvin Bragg expressed his enthusiasm for contributing to the completion of this investigation, praising the team of the expatriate, Assistant Prosecutor, Matthew Bogdanos, and the Special Investigative Agent of the Homeland Security Service, R. and for the Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni. “I am honored to be here and to be part of this work. Thank you for the very good work our partners, special agent Ricky Patel and of course our international partner. Madam Minister, it is a great privilege for us that you have trusted us and that we have you here and also that we are returning these archeological findings to you. Also to mention Matthew Bogdano and his team, which is synonymous with this research. “It’s a dream team,” Alvin Bragg said in a statement.
Matthew Bogdanos added that these are not only the objects of the Steinhardt collection, but also some others that were dealt with in different investigations, which were conducted by the New York Prosecutor’s Office. Closing the ceremony, the Minister of Culture said: “Today is the” delicious imar “, the sweet day of returning home after years of wandering, changes of illegal owners, copper-plated purchase documents. But antiquities always retain their truth, a truth intertwined with the history of the place that gave birth to them. We return them to their homeland with unspeakable joy and we express our deep gratitude to you once again “.
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