In a gesture of principle, political will, and powerful symbolism linked to Greece’s long-standing demand for the return of the Parthenon Marbles, Greece handed over 48 Cypriot antiquities to Cyprus.

The artifacts came from the collection of Ambassador Christos Zacharakis and represent exceptional examples of Cypriot culture, spanning a broad historical period from the Early Bronze Age to the medieval era. Following the collector’s death, his heirs immediately transferred all the antiquities in his collection to the Greek state, with the sole request that their provenance be investigated and that they be returned to their rightful place of origin.

“It is a great joy and an emotional moment for us whenever we welcome expatriated antiquities back to our country. But it is equally gratifying when Greece returns antiquities to the country to which they belong. Because that is what is right and ethical. And this joy and emotion are even greater because we are repatriating antiquities to our Cyprus,” said Lina Mendoni, who formally handed over the artifacts to Lina Kassianidou during a special ceremony held at the Cyprus Museum.

The Greek Minister of Culture expressed the hope that others would follow this example:

“To proceed with the voluntary return of antiquities to the countries to which they belong, to the peoples who created them and for whom they form an integral part of their cultural identity.”

She noted that Cyprus, like Greece, has suffered extensive looting by various conquerors throughout its history. She recalled efforts to recover stolen Cypriot cultural treasures from the occupied territories, including the famous mosaics and frescoes of Panagia Kanakaria. She also stressed that the continued occupation of unique archaeological and monumental sites such as Salamis and Enkomi demands constant vigilance until Cyprus is reunified in accordance with international law and what she described as a shared historical and national responsibility.

For her part, Kassianidou emphasized that the return of these antiquities serves as a tangible example of how cultural heritage protection is put into practice and how societies can preserve their connection to history, memory, and identity.

“For countries such as Cyprus and Greece, this discussion carries particular significance and weight. Both countries possess cultural heritage of immeasurable value. Both have experienced, in different ways and at different times, loss and dispossession, and both seek the return of their cultural property. Our struggle is shared and inseparably linked to our efforts to safeguard our historical memory and our roots.”

Referring to the Republic of Cyprus’s support for Greece’s claim regarding the return of the Parthenon Marbles, Kassianidou explained:

“This position is not merely an expression of solidarity with Greece, but an expression of a common principle: that cultural objects acquire their full meaning and value when they exist in a meaningful relationship with their place of origin, its people, and its history.”