Bern: Switzerland on Monday returned seven historical artifacts to Trkiye, including gilded bronze votive figurines from the Bronze Age, as part of a bilateral agreement aimed at combating cultural property trafficking. At a handover ceremony at the Turkish Embassy in Bern, Ambassador Sebnem Incesu expressed her pleasure in hosting the fourth repatriation ceremony since the 2022 agreement between the two countries.
According to Anadolu Agency, the agreement between Switzerland and Trkiye lays the foundation for long-term cooperation between their cultural institutions. Ambassador Incesu highlighted the complexity of such returns, which require the participation of many stakeholders, and expressed gratitude to the Swiss authorities for their effective system in fighting the illicit trade of cultural property.
Fabienne Baraga, head of the Swiss Federal Office of Culture's unit responsible for international transfers, emphasized the importance of cultural objects being appreciated within their original context. She stated that looting and illegal trade break this link, causing a significant loss for the countries of origin.
The Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism reported that the artifacts had been seized in a criminal investigation in the canton of St. Gallen and confirmed as Anatolian in origin. Among them were miniature votive figurines, a granulated gold earring, Roman-era glass vessels, and a polykandelon oil lamp from the Early Middle Ages.
The items will now undergo scientific analysis before being preserved in Turkish museums. The ministry reiterated Trkiye's continued commitment to international cooperation in protecting cultural heritage and preventing illicit trafficking.