The Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni received, at a special event at the Embassy of Greece in Washington, D.C., in the presence of the relevant authorities of the United States, twenty-six ancient objects of Greek origin.
The ceremony highlighted the systematic commitment of the two countries to the protection of cultural heritage and the fighting of illegal trafficking in antiquities and cultural goods.
According to the Ministry of Culture’s statement, the items in question are a marvelous headless statue of Asclepius, of exceptional quality, and twenty-five ancient coins, which were seized by the US authorities upon their entry into the United States, as they did not have the necessary legal documents for handling. The antiquities are being repatriated as part of the implementation of the Greece-U.S.
At the handover ceremony, Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said: “I feel a great pleasure to be among allies, fellow travellers and dedicated friends in Greek culture who contribute decisively to my country’s struggle to combat antiquities theft, which constitutes a crime against humanity and its cultural heritage. It is a substantial vindication of the efforts of the Ministry of Culture of the Hellenic Republic in the fight against the crimes of illicit trafficking of cultural property.
Today, thanks to the Memorandum of Understanding between Greece and the United States, we are receiving important antiquities that are being repatriated, because the institutional document is an effective tool in our bilateral cooperation. The contribution of the US authorities has been decisive. Through the implementation of the Memorandum, it has been possible to identify, seize and return the antiquities to their country of origin. Greece remains firmly committed, with constant research, consistency and method, to the protection and repatriation of its cultural heritage, using every possible means. We attach particular importance to our international collaborations, especially with the United States, which is a huge art market.We are working, together, to renew and further strengthen the Memorandum of Understanding so that our cooperation may continue and expand. We return home with a heavy burden in our luggage. A load that cannot be measured by scales, but by memory and history. Greece will continue to work with faith, dedication, methodicalness and responsibility, as the custodian of its cultural heritage, which is not only for the Greeks but for the whole of humanity.”
“A strong victory for justice”
The Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic in Washington, Antonis Alexandridis, said: “This repatriation is a subtle but powerful victory for law, scientific inquiry and moral clarity over the forces that seek to fragment the past. It is the result of exemplary cooperation between Greece and the United States – two nations bound not only by alliance but also by a shared respect for history, democracy and the rule of law.”
The U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Education and Culture Sherry Keneson Hall, said: “These antiquities are not being returned home by accident. Their recovery demonstrates the power of international cooperation in combating illicit antiquities trafficking. The US-Greece Memorandum of Understanding on Cultural Property and the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty have been crucial in setting the framework for our successful joint effort. Our cooperation sends a clear message to transnational criminal networks: Our borders are closed to the illegal trade in cultural heritage. Greece’s history continues to inspire the world. Enduring systematic cooperation with the United States honors our two countries.”
ICE’s Deputy Director Charles Wall said: “As someone who has learned the history of ancient Greece as a young child in school, this repatriation means a lot to me. As Deputy Director of ICE – U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement, I thank all of our interagency partners at Customs and Border Protection, the Department of Justice, and the FBI for working together to secure these archaeological finds. Today they are being returned to their homeland, protecting their future.”
According to the Ministry of Culture’s announcement, of particular importance is the repatriation of a headless marble statue of Asclepius, of the Epidaurus type, as well as twenty-three ancient Greek coins, including silver coins from Rhodes. These items were seized by Homeland Security Investigations, under the memorandum, as they were not accompanied by the required legal export documents. Also notable are two rare coins of the 4th century BC, a bronze coin of Macedonia, with a head of Persephone and a representation of a hydra, and a gold stater of the Lampsacus of Mystia, with a head of Hercules and a half-tomos of Pygassus. The two coins are linked to a case of an international antiquities theft ring and were repatriated following cooperation between the Greek and American authorities, with the assistance of Interpol.
During the ceremony, Lina Mendoni also received twelve ancient objects of Greek origin, which are being repatriated from the United States, following voluntary deliveries by private individuals. The objects include clay figurines, vessels of the Archaic and Classical periods, and stone fragments.
Talks at the State Department
Earlier in the day, Culture Minister Lina Mendoni had a working meeting with Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Education and Culture Sherry Keneson Hall at the State Department. The discussion focused on the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding and Action Plan for the enforcement of import restrictions on categories of archaeological and ethnological material of the Hellenic Republic dating back to 1830. The signing of the new framework is scheduled for September 2026, when the internal institutional procedures in both countries will have been completed. At the same time, Greek cultural activities that will be included in the framework of the celebrations for the 250th anniversary of US Independence were discussed. These include an exhibition on ancient Greek democracy at the Parthenon Museum in Nashville, Tennessee, and the exhibition of a Kouros at the Capitol or the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.
During the discussion on the upcoming organization in Greece of the 5th “Cultural Heritage School” seminar in 2027, the two sides praised the success of the overall program, co-organized by the Greek Ministry of Culture, the State Department, the US Embassy in Athens and ICOM, on the protection of cultural heritage from climate change and illicit trafficking. High-level experts from both countries, as well as from the Balkans and Southeastern Europe, are participating.
Lina Mendoni also mentioned the upcoming opening of the museum dedicated to ancient Sparta in September, in cooperation between the Greek Ministry of Culture and the University of Connecticut. Two more important Greek exhibitions are in the pipeline: The first, in Washington, D.C., at the Museum of the Bible, next November, with an exhibition of Byzantine icons, from Patmos and Thessaloniki. The second, at the Getty Museum, Los Angeles, in the context of the 2028 Olympic Games.
Bible Museum
Lina Mendoni was welcomed at the Bible Museum in Washington, D.C., by its general manager, Carlos Campo.This is one of the most contemporary cultural organizations dedicated to the history, dissemination and cultural influence of the Bible through interactive exhibitions and contemporary museum practices.
During her discussion with the museum’s Director General Carlos Campo, Director of Collections Anthony Schmidt and Curator Brian Hyland, the minister spoke at length about the upcoming exhibition “Revealing the Hidden.During the discussion, the issue of stable cooperation was raised, through the establishment of a memorandum of understanding between the Museum of the Bible and the Byzantine Museums of Greece, with the aim of promoting Byzantium and Byzantine culture internationally.
During the discussion, the issue of stable cooperation was raised, through the establishment of a memorandum of understanding between the Museum of the Bible and the Byzantine Museums of Greece.
