Press Releases

At a ceremony which was held yesterday, 29 March 2018 at the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus in Berlin, two archaeological objects, which were illegally exported from Cyprus after the Turkish invasion of 1974, were handed over to the Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus in Germany, Mr Andreas Hadjichrysanthou, by Mr Günter Puhze and Mrs Micaela Puhze owners of the Galerie Günter Puhze.

The first object is a clay figurine of a warrior with shield which dates to the Cypro-Archaic period (7^th century BC). The second object is a clay bowl of Red Polished Ware with incised decoration. The bowl dates to the Early Bronze Age (circa 2000 BC).

The Ambassador thanked Mr and Mrs Puhze for their gesture, as well as the representatives of the German Government whose contribution to the common efforts of the Embassy and the Department of Antiquities of the Republic of Cyprus for the return of the objects was decisive.

Moreover, the Ambassador stressed the importance for Cyprus of the return of its cultural treasures which were looted and illegally exported after the Turkish invasion of 1974.

Finally, he underlined that the return of the two objects, contributes to the further strengthening of the excellent bilateral relations between Cyprus and Germany.

The German Government was represented at the ceremony by the deputy Federal Commissioner for Culture and the Media Dr Günter Winands. Representatives of the German Foreign Ministry were also present.

(MG/II)