Press Releases

Referring to a number of recent articles published in the daily Press and in particular to the articles published in “Politis” newspaper on December 22, 2018 titled «Το Walk of Truth επαναπατρίζει αρχαιότητες της Εποχής του Χαλκού» (Walk of Truth repatriates antiquities of the Bronze Age) and in  “Fileleftheros” newspaperdated December 23, 2018 titled «Απονομή Δικαιοσύνης, ο επαναπατρισμός αρχαιοτήτων» (Delivering justice, the repatriation of antiquities), the Department of Antoquities would like the following statement to be published in the Press, so as to provide an accurate account of the events related to the issue:

The Cypriot antiquities that are in the collection of the English architect/artist David Johnson are known both to the Department of Antiquities and to the Law Office of the Republic of Cyprus and, contrary to what the above articles report, the Department of Antiquities replied positively to the offer of a "possible" donation of the antiquities to the Cyprus Museum, should Mr Johnson eventually make the decision to donate them. The return, according to Mr Johnson’s wishes, would occur after both he and his wife pass away. His final decision was however pending and as it turned out, it was dependent upon approval on behalf of the Department of Antiquities, of purchases of Cypriot antiquities from unknown sources, which he would not disclose, on the pretext that these would be returned to the Cyprus Museum after his death. In the latest communication between the Department of Antiquities and Mr D. Johnson, dated 13 December 2018, the Department of Antiquities once more reaffirmed that, if he so wished, the Department would gladly accept his donation.

The fight against illicit trafficking and the suppression of the illicit trade of Cyprus’ cultural heritage, as well as that of other peoples, is a primary objective of the Department of Antiquities. It is thus evident that, the involvement of the competent Department in dealings of this kind is inconceivable. As Mr Johnson has already stated and according to the said Press reports, in recent years foreign museums cannot easily accept collections of antiquities originating from other countries, even though, these have been allegedly "legally" acquired. We have not been informed of the content of the agreement between Mr Johnson and the organization Walk of Truth, but the repatriation of the Cypriot antiquities and "the choice of the appropriate space" for their exhibition, are the exclusive responsibility of the competent Authorities, that is the Department of Antiquities.

(AH/II)