Ancient artefacts from US billionaire’s private collection displayed for first time in Athens

·

Fifteen ancient Greek artefacts from the private Cycladic art collection of a US billionaire went on display for the first time on Wednesday in Athens.

The Cycladic antiquities travelled to Athens following a deal between Greece and New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art for the repatriation of 161 artefacts collected over the years by Leonard N. Stern, a businessperson and philanthropist.

Speaking at a ceremony on the eve of the exhibition’s opening to the public, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said it was “truly a special day for the cultural life of the country.”

On his Instagram feed, the director of the Met, Max Hollein, hailed the “great new partnership and a new solution to bring private collections with complex provenances to the public sphere.”

After being displayed for a year at the Cycladic Museum in Athens, the 15 works – the most significant of the collection – will be displayed in New York from early 2024 for 25 years. They will gradually be returned to Greece.

The deal between Greece and The Met, which was ratified by Greek lawmakers in September, has stirred controversy in Greece, where the opposition as well as many archaeologists and conservators have called for their immediate, permanent return.

Source: Reuters.

Cretan Convention - Web Banner

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Democracy on the big screen: Youth shine at the 13th Greek Student Film Festival

13th Greek Student Film Festival - staged within Sydney's 30th Greek Film Festival - filled the cinema with laughter and plenty of Greek.

Panayiota Dimopoulos’ OXI Day artwork takes pride of place on The Greek Herald cover

Panayiota Dimopoulos from Oakleigh Grammar designed The Greek Herald’s OXI Day cover, capturing the shared history of Greece and Australia.

Greek and Cypriot leaders honour OXI Day with messages to Australia’s Greek diaspora

Greek and Cypriot politicians and diplomats have issued messages to Australia’s Greek diaspora ahead of the OXI Day celebrations.

Greek Film Festival wraps 30th year with a triumphant Sydney finale

The curtain fell on the 30th Greek Film Festival in Sydney on Sunday night with a sold-out screening of Athens Midnight Radio.

Pan Macedonian Federation of SA launches the 44th Dimitria Greek Festival

On Friday, October 24, the Pan Macedonian Federation of South Australia officially launched the 44th Dimitria Greek Festival.

You May Also Like

Westpac takes aim at new figures connected to Forum and Bill Papas scandal

Fraud allegations of almost $400 million against Bill Papas have widened to include his business partner in Greece.

Kytherian panel to be unveiled on Australia’s National Monument to Migration

The Kytherian Association of Australia has worked with the Australian National Maritime Museum to honour migrants from Kythera.

Canberra’s Greek community gains new gathering space and aged care hub

The Greek Orthodox Community and Church of Canberra has officially opened a newly refurbished community hall behind St Nicholas Church.