A Special Ridor of 29 Greek Antiquities took place on Friday at the Consulate General of Greece in New York.

The ancient artifacts return to Greece by decision of Manhattan Matthew Bogdanos’ deputy prosecutor, following the documentation provided by the Department of Cultural Protection of the Ministry of Culture of Greece for their illegal distribution.

The ceremony was attended by the Deputy Prosecutor of New York Matthew Bogdanos with his associates, as well as the Secretary General of the Ministry of Culture George Teachkalos.

Greece’s Consul General in New York, Iphigenia Canara, welcoming the attendees, emphasized that the ceremony is “a tangible result of the fruitful and highly productive cooperation between the US authorities and the Greek Ministry of Culture”.

In his speech, Deputy Prosecutor Matthew Bogdanos and head of the Antiquities Prosecution Unit in New York emphasized that “the successful recovery of hundreds of antiquities returned not only to Greece but also in other states proves its dedication and determination”.

He expressed particular gratitude to his associates and noted that “Greece has a long history of loss of cultural treasures due to illegal trafficking” and that the prevention and return of smuggled objects is a national priority.

“For the last 20 years we have had seven such repatriation with Greece and recovered over 160 priceless items, totaling over $ 45 million. But their real value is not measured in dollars or euros, but in our common cultural heritage, “Mr Bogdanos said.

Mr Bogdanos also shared the words of his Greek grandmother that “everyone wants to go to paradise, no one wants to die. In our subject, everyone wants justice, everyone wants to return the stolen ancient. But they usually wait for others to do it, somewhere else, another time. I am here to remind you: We are these people. Here is the place. And now is the time, “said Bogdanos.

According to Mr. Bogdanos, ancient artifacts were seized by a N. York gallery and some were also seized by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which – once again – collaborated fully with their research.

On behalf of the Ministry of Culture, the Secretary General, Mr. Daskalou, stressed that the return of their ancient objects was made “thanks to the tireless efforts of Matthew Bogdanos and his dedicated team, as well as his staff Homeland Security Investigations”, stressing that Greece “The prevention and return of smuggled antiquities remains a national priority.”

He also noted that the Memorandum of Understanding of Greece-US of 2011 for restrictions on the introduction of archaeological and ethnological material from Greece is a “milestone of this joint effort”, while collaboration has been developed “closely and efficiently, based on confidence and mutual respect”.

In closing, he conveyed the thanks of the Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni “for the continuing and productive cooperation with the Office of the New York Prosecutor” and acknowledged the contribution of the Consul General Iphigenia Canaras and the executives of the Ministry of Culture, Vasiliki Papageorgiou and Vassiliki Papageorgiou.