Artifacts return to Romania

In our speech, we thanked the various organisations that contributed to the return of the artwork, and Van Langh spoke about the impact of the art theft and the legal proceedings. Below you can read his full speech.

Speech of general director Drents Museum Robert van Langh

My name is Robert van Langh, and I am the director of the Drents Museum in Assen, the Netherlands. Outside Romania, it is difficult for people to fully grasp what an immense blow it must have been when, last year, the golden Helmet of Coțofenești and three royal Dacian bracelets were violently stolen from our museum. The impact of this robbery was already significant in the Netherlands, but here it must have been truly unparalleled. 

That is why I am deeply honored and grateful that the responsibility has been granted to me, on behalf of the Dutch government, to accompany the helmet and the bracelets from the Netherlands back home to Romania, to this magnificent National History Museum in Bucharest. Romanian national heritage has returned home; European heritage is once again where it belongs.

A theft involving the use of explosives of this magnitude is unprecedented in the history of Western museums. This attack placed strain on friendships, while it was precisely the friendship between our museums that formed the foundation of the remarkable exhibition we had organized together. Today, in my view, we see that true friendship can endure conspiracy theories, accusations and anger. Thanks to the tireless, joint efforts of the Romanian and Dutch authorities, we can celebrate today the remarkable return of the golden helmet and two of the three royal Dacian bracelets. The police and judicial authorities of both countries have done extraordinary work. We owe them a profound debt of gratitude. Gratitude which I would like to convey to you, your government and all Romanian agencies that have been involved in solving this case.

Last week, the trial of the three main suspects took place in Assen. We were given a detailed account of how the investigating authorities came to make the arrest leading to the recovery of the helmet and the bracelets. In a few weeks’ time, the judges will deliver their verdict, and I expect that justice will take its course. It became clear in court that this is not about money, but about the immense cultural and historical value of the artefacts. A value that has prompted a relentless and extraordinary effort on the part of the Romanian and Dutch authorities. 

I would like to thank our colleagues at the National History Museum of Romania. After more than a year of uncertainty my colleagues in the Netherlands are now able to close a very painful chapter. An emotional moment for all involved. But here in Bucharest, the grief, the anger, and now the relief have naturally been even greater. I am grateful that, in these difficult times, we have been able to preserve our friendship. That touches me deeply, and I will carry it with me in my heart.

In closing, I would like to repeat the appeal I made in the Netherlands upon the return of the treasures, and again last week in the courtroom: anyone who has information about the whereabouts of the third bracelet, please come forward. Help ensure that this bracelet, too, can safely return home here in Bucharest.