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Macedonia's Treasures Hidden Away in Private Collections
18 Jan 2011 / 09:09
In an attempt to account for the country's historical heritage, some experts suggest the legalisation of murky private collections and amnesty for their owners.
Valentino Dimitrovski, the head of the department for movable artifacts in the National Directorate for the Protection of Cultural Heritage, says that the state should consider giving collection holders a one-time chance to legalise what they possess.
“I personally think this is a good idea, regardless of the fact that the artifacts [that are part of these collections] have probably been acquired illegally. At least we will know what we have in the country and where those artifacts are,” he said.
Dimitrovski explained that in return the authorities would not confiscate the artifacts from their current owners, despite the fact that most belong to the state.
Last year’s massive police operation aimed at busting an artifact smuggling ring showed that this practice is widespread across the country, and a viable business for some.
Dubbed “Phalanx”, the June raids resulted in over 50 arrests and the seizure of large quantities of ancient coins, valuable pottery and ceramics, bronze jewellery, icons, old weapons and various other pieces.
Among those arrested during the raids were heads of museums, municipal councillors, university professors, police officers and businessmen. Some were charged for acts related to the illegal excavation, buying, and selling of valuable artifacts.
The former head of the Directorate, Jovan Ristov, says accounting for all the artifacts is a delicate matter and police operations alone won't solve the problem.
“The provisions of the law that oblige residents to report discovered artifacts have been ommitted for decades. People who may own valuable cultural artifacts are afraid to report them,” Ristov says, adding: “It is impossible to confiscate all the artifacts and to handcuff all the people.”
Some experts suggest that a change to the current Law on Cultural Heritage is necessary if the people are to be encouraged to legalise their collections.
Several wealthy local businesmen have already reported parts of their collections but local media speculate that many more pieces remain hidden.
The current law is particularly strict when it comes to owning private archeological collections as it stipulates that “all artifacts dug up from Macedonian soil belong to the state”.
18 Jan 2011 / 09:09
In an attempt to account for the country's historical heritage, some experts suggest the legalisation of murky private collections and amnesty for their owners.
Valentino Dimitrovski, the head of the department for movable artifacts in the National Directorate for the Protection of Cultural Heritage, says that the state should consider giving collection holders a one-time chance to legalise what they possess.
“I personally think this is a good idea, regardless of the fact that the artifacts [that are part of these collections] have probably been acquired illegally. At least we will know what we have in the country and where those artifacts are,” he said.
Dimitrovski explained that in return the authorities would not confiscate the artifacts from their current owners, despite the fact that most belong to the state.
Last year’s massive police operation aimed at busting an artifact smuggling ring showed that this practice is widespread across the country, and a viable business for some.
Dubbed “Phalanx”, the June raids resulted in over 50 arrests and the seizure of large quantities of ancient coins, valuable pottery and ceramics, bronze jewellery, icons, old weapons and various other pieces.
Among those arrested during the raids were heads of museums, municipal councillors, university professors, police officers and businessmen. Some were charged for acts related to the illegal excavation, buying, and selling of valuable artifacts.
The former head of the Directorate, Jovan Ristov, says accounting for all the artifacts is a delicate matter and police operations alone won't solve the problem.
“The provisions of the law that oblige residents to report discovered artifacts have been ommitted for decades. People who may own valuable cultural artifacts are afraid to report them,” Ristov says, adding: “It is impossible to confiscate all the artifacts and to handcuff all the people.”
Some experts suggest that a change to the current Law on Cultural Heritage is necessary if the people are to be encouraged to legalise their collections.
Several wealthy local businesmen have already reported parts of their collections but local media speculate that many more pieces remain hidden.
The current law is particularly strict when it comes to owning private archeological collections as it stipulates that “all artifacts dug up from Macedonian soil belong to the state”.
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