Raluca Turcan Calls for Return of Stolen Dacian Treasures
Former Minister of Culture Raluca Turcan, under whose mandate the exhibition of Dacian objects at the Drents Museum was organized, where the Golden Helmet from Coţofeneşti and three Dacian gold bracelets were stolen on Saturday, believes that the Netherlands has a duty to identify the thieves and return the stolen treasure to Romania.
Raluca Turcan’s Statement
“We are talking about a theft, so the Netherlands has a duty to identify the thieves and return the stolen treasure to Romania. I am absolutely convinced that there is maximum mobilization at the police cooperation level to catch the thieves,” stated Raluca Turcan.
How the Treasures Ended Up in the Netherlands
The exhibits reached the museum in the Netherlands as part of a project initiated by the National Museum of Romanian History, with the approval of the National Commission of Museums and Collections. The exhibition is part of a broad effort of cultural diplomacy carried out by Romanian museums, which began years ago with the exhibition in Madrid (2021), followed by the one in Rome (2024). The preparation involved significant efforts from 18 museums in Romania and the Drents Museum (for the Netherlands), one of the oldest and most prestigious museums in Europe,” declared Raluca Turcan.
Security Measures and Responsibility
Turcan also mentioned that the Drents Museum had a “contractual obligation to ensure special security measures,” and the Ministry of Culture “does not decide on the content of the collections presented in exhibitions.”
“Any approval for the temporary export of cultural goods (exhibitions abroad) is only granted with the approval of specialists from the National Commission of Museums and Collections,” Turcan added.
Cultural Exchange Projects
Former Minister highlights that such projects are common in the European cultural space, with Romania also benefiting from exceptional exhibitions brought by cultural institutions from abroad, with the latest example being the ongoing exhibition “The Lights of Caravaggio” at the Art Museum in Timişoara.
The Robbery
The Golden Helmet from Coţofeneşti and three Dacian gold bracelets from Sarmizegetusa Regia were stolen on Saturday at the Drents Museum in Assen, Netherlands, by three unidentified individuals. A wall of the building was blown up, and the robbery lasted two minutes.
On Saturday evening, the Dutch police released images showing moments from the robbery.
The Exhibition and Visitor Numbers
The exhibition “Dacia! The Kingdom of Gold and Silver” at the Drents Museum was open to the public from July 7, 2024, and closes today, January 26. According to the National Museum of Romanian History, the exhibition featured 673 archaeological objects made of precious metals from Romania’s national heritage and attracted over 77,000 visitors.
Conclusion
The theft of these priceless Dacian treasures is a blow to cultural heritage and highlights the importance of international cooperation in protecting and preserving such valuable artifacts. Raluca Turcan’s call for the return of the stolen items is a crucial step in ensuring justice and safeguarding Romania’s rich history.
FAQs
What were the stolen Dacian treasures?
The stolen items included the Golden Helmet from Coţofeneşti and three Dacian gold bracelets from Sarmizegetusa Regia.
How many visitors did the exhibition at the Drents Museum attract?
The exhibition “Dacia! The Kingdom of Gold and Silver” at the Drents Museum drew over 77,000 visitors during its run.