Egypt joins Geneva negotiations on Global Plastics Treaty, calls for urgent agreement    Egypt delivers over 30 million health services through public hospitals in H1 2025    Madinet Masr in talks for three land plots in Riyadh as part of Saudi expansion    Egypt's PM tells Palestinian PM that Rafah crossing is working 24/7 for aid    Egypt, Japan discuss economic ties, preparations for TICAD conference    Real Estate Developers urge flexible land pricing, streamlined licensing, and dollar-based transactions    Egypt's Sisi pledges full state support for telecoms, tech investment    EGP inches down vs. USD at Sunday's trading close    EGX launches 1st phone app    Escalation in Gaza, West Bank as Israeli strikes continue amid mounting international criticism    Egypt recovers collection of ancient artefacts from Netherlands    Egypt, UNDP discuss outcomes of joint projects, future environmental cooperation    Egypt harvests 315,000 cubic metres of rainwater in Sinai as part of flash flood protection measures    After Putin summit, Trump says peace deal is best way to end Ukraine war    Egypt, Namibia explore closer pharmaceutical cooperation    Jordan condemns Israeli PM remarks on 'Greater Israel'    Renowned Egyptian novelist Sonallah Ibrahim dies at 88    Egyptian, Ugandan Presidents open business forum to boost trade    Al-Sisi says any party thinking Egypt will neglect water rights is 'completely mistaken'    Egypt's Sisi warns against unilateral Nile measures, reaffirms Egypt's water security stance    Egypt's Sisi, Uganda's Museveni discuss boosting ties    Egypt, Huawei explore healthcare digital transformation cooperation    Egypt's Sisi, Sudan's Idris discuss strategic ties, stability    Egypt's govt. issues licensing controls for used cooking oil activities    Egypt to inaugurate Grand Egyptian Museum on 1 November    Egypt's Sisi: Egypt is gateway for aid to Gaza, not displacement    Greco-Roman rock-cut tombs unearthed in Egypt's Aswan    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Vox Pops: Should the retrieval of Egyptian antiquities be a government priority?
Published in Almasry Alyoum on 02 - 09 - 2010

After the theft last month of Van Gogh's famous "Poppy Flowers" painting--valued at US$55 million--from Cairo's Mahmoud Khalil Museum, concerns have arisen about the relative safety of the country's precious artworks and antiquities. Al-Masry Al-Youm hit the streets of the capital to ask: Should the retrieval of Egyptian antiquities be a government priority?
Saad Razaq, lawyer: "Reclaiming antiquities is a very important step, which should have been taken years ago. Our monuments constitute our heritage, so the government should exert more effort to protect them. I feel sorry when I travel abroad and see how our monuments are appreciated by foreigners, while here in Egypt we don't pay much attention to their historical value."
Mona al-Adly, secretary: "I totally support retrieving our stolen antiquities, and even those that were given as gifts. We have the right to restore them to the country. If we gave up some of our treasures in the past, that doesn't mean they do not belong to Egypt. Besides, I don't support the idea of sending our antiquities abroad to be displayed in museums and exhibitions, because this makes them vulnerable to damage or theft. Whoever wants to see our ancient relics should visit Egypt."
Samir Abdel-Mohsen, advertising company employee: "I think Egypt has recently exerted great efforts to retrieve its ancient treasures from abroad. I appreciate [Supreme Council for Antiquities head) Zahi Hawass, who has teamed up with many countries to call for Egypt's right to reclaim some of its precious artifacts, like the bust of Queen Nefertiti and the Rosetta Stone. Hawass has proven his efficiency and has already succeeded in some cases. France consented to return one of our ancient artifacts after he threatened to break official ties with the Louvre Museum in Paris."
Rehab Adel, pharmacist: "Before calling for the repatriation of antiquities from outside the country, we must learn how to control smuggling. Museums must be equipped with cameras and hi-tech alarm systems to combat theft. The disappearance of the Van Gogh painting confirmed the government's inability to safeguard its relics. This was not the first time for a precious art piece to be stolen as a result of negligence. Strict measures and harsh punishments should be implemented against art thieves and smugglers."
Mohamed Wadah, engineer: "Egypt has made good headway in both preserving and reclaiming its antiquities. Last year, Interpol, along with the SCA, succeeded in arresting an antiquities smuggler and returning 1,000 ancient treasures to Egypt. What's more, the holding of the first international conference on the restoration of stolen Egyptian artifacts by Zahi Hawass was a very bold step, which conveyed the message that Egypt won't stand idly by and allow its heritage to be lost."
Saber Safwat, teacher's assistant: "Tourism is one of the major sources of income for the Egyptian economy. Therefore, the SCA should work harder on preserving and protecting Egyptian antiquities, because the restoration of our stolen antiquities will help boost tourism revenue. Official touring exhibitions, which are held in different countries, is another way to generate revenue. By sending the treasures of Tutankhamun abroad, Egypt can make millions of dollars, which the country is in dire need of."


Clic here to read the story from its source.