-
.
- Русский
The Department of Antiquities, Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works, announces that on 20 May 2023 the repatriation from Australia of thirty-six (36) Cypriot antiquities took place, which were returned following the kind initiative of Australian nationals who offered to return the Cypriot antiquities in their possession to their country of origin, which is Cyprus. The repatriation of the 36 Cypriot antiquities was made possible thanks to the coordinated actions of the Australian authorities, the Australian National University, the University of Sydney and the Cypriot authorities.
The antiquities in question belong to various chronological periods, from the Bronze Age to the Roman period, and include stone tools, clay and glass vessels, clay lamps, bronze objects and stone sculptures.
Specifically, the Director of the Department of Antiquities, Dr. Marina Solomidou-Ieronymidou, accompanied by the Head of the Office for Combating Illegal Occupation and Trafficking of Antiquities of the Police Headquarters, Senior Lieutenant Michael Gavrielides and the Conservator Dr. Eleftherios Charalambous received the antiquities in question in Canberra and Sydney. There, they supervised the packing procedures of the antiquities, which they accompanied to the Cyprus Museum in Nicosia on 20 May 2023. The antiquities will be conserved and digitized in the database of the Department of Antiquities.
During her visit to Australia, the Director of the Department of Antiquities, Dr. Solomidou-Ieronymidou, was invited to give lectures on various topics, such as the role and work of the Department of Antiquities, as well as on the measures taken to combat loitering and illicit trafficking of cultural heritage.
During her visit to Australia, the Director of the Department of Antiquities, Dr. Solomidou-Ieronymidou, was invited to give lectures on various topics, such as the role and work of the Department of Antiquities and the measures taken to combat loitering and illicit trafficking of cultural heritage. In particular, he has lectured at the Australian National University in Canberra and at the Near Eastern Archaeology Foundation in Sydney. A seminar on the illicit trafficking of cultural heritage was also held at the Chau Chak Wing Museum of the University of Sydney, during which Dr Solomidou-Ieronymidou and Senior Lieutenant Michael Gavriilides gave presentations and answered questions from students and the public.
The Department of Antiquities and the National Committee for the Prevention of Piracy and Illicit Trafficking in Cultural Heritage express their sincere thanks to the Australian High Commission in Cyprus and in particular to the High Commissioner MrsFionaMcKergow and the Deputy Head of Mission Consul Michelle Anderson, to the High Commission of the Republic of Cyprus in Australia and in particular the High Commissioner Mr. Mr. Antonis Sammoutis, as well as the Deputy Head of Mission Consul Mr. Stavros Nikolaou. Special thanks also go to Dr. Georgia Pike-Rowney of the Australian National University (College of Arts & Social Sciences), Dr. Melanie Pitkin, Senior Curator of the Nicholson Collection at the University of Sydney and Dr. Craig Barker of the University of Sydney and Director of the Paphos Theatre Archaeological Project in Cyprus. The Cypriot delegation also expresses its special appreciation to the Presidents and representatives of the Cypriot communities in Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney for their assistance and excellent hospitality.
The Department of Antiquities, as the competent Department of the Republic of Cyprus for the protection and management of the cultural heritage of Cyprus, will continue its intensive efforts to enhance the protection of cultural heritage and promote the repatriation of cultural goods to their place of origin.
The Department of Antiquities, as the competent Department of the Republic of Cyprus for the protection and management of the cultural heritage of Cyprus, will continue its intensive efforts to enhance the protection of cultural heritage and promote the repatriation of cultural goods to their place of origin. To this end, the cooperation of all competent authorities, both at national and international level, is considered of the utmost importance. Cultural property is an invaluable and irreplaceable part of the heritage, not only at local but also at international level, for humanity as a whole.
(MB/SX)
Contents of this article including associated images are owned by PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
Source
