Türkiye celebrates success against artifact smuggling at exhibition

At the “No Escape” exhibition held at the Anatolian Civilizations Museum, Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy stressed the necessity of warning buyers in the fight against artifact smuggling. He noted that Türkiye has successfully reclaimed significant cultural artifacts over the past seven years as a result of these ongoing efforts.

Minister Ersoy attended the “No Escape” exhibition and Refik Anadol’s digital exhibition “Earth Dreams” as part of the Ankara Culture Route Festival. He highlighted the recent return of the red-beaded necklace, which was handed over on Sept. 3 at the New York Cultural Attache, underscoring its significance in the ongoing campaign against illicit cultural trafficking.

Key strategies in combating historical artifact smuggling

Ersoy stressed that discouraging buyers is crucial for deterring smugglers. “If you want to intimidate treasure hunters, you must first intimidate buyers,” he explained. The country has witnessed fruitful outcomes from these strategies, with the red-beaded necklace being one such example, which dates back to the 1970s and was suspected of being of Anatolian origin while displayed at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.

“The success rate of our efforts is nearly 100%. We identify and recover artifacts that have been unlawfully removed from Anatolia,” said Ersoy, reaffirming the effectiveness of the Ministry’s Anti-Smuggling Department.

Notable repatriations

Among the artifacts showcased at the “No Escape” exhibition is a marble head of Alexander the Great from the second century A.D., which was also successfully repatriated. Ersoy recounted the process: “A foreign collector obtained the marble head, and after their passing, their heirs expressed concerns about potential legal challenges from the Turkish government. They approached us, acknowledging the artifact’s Anatolian origins, which we successfully proved, leading to its return.”

This success reflects the increasing awareness among collectors that unauthorized Anatolian artifacts are at risk of confiscation by the Turkish government.

Enhancing international recognition

Ersoy also discussed the ongoing Ankara Cultural Route Festival, which has gained international recognition. The festival has applied for membership in the European Festivals Association, aiming to enhance its global profile. He noted that this year, they have started to incorporate well-known artists from various fields into the festival, contributing to the growth of Türkiye’s cultural brand.

“We are striving to enhance the festival’s and our country’s international brand value by integrating international events,” Ersoy concluded.

Türkiye’s ongoing efforts in reclaiming illicitly removed artifacts are proving effective, with a near 100% success rate in returning proven Anatolian cultural heritage. As the country enhances its cultural festivals and international partnerships, its commitment to preserving and protecting its historical treasures continues to grow.