Statement from Robert van Langh, director of the Drents Museum
Statement from Robert van Langh, director of the Drents Museum, concerning the press conference on april 2 2026
My name is Robert van Langh, and since the end of this year I have been the director of the Drents Museum. Today I saw how deeply moved, happy, relieved, and grateful my colleagues were when I told them that the helmet and two bracelets had been found. We can hardly imagine what this must feel like in Romania, for our dear colleagues at the National History Museum in Bucharest and for all Romanians. It is wonderful that the helmet and two of the three bracelets are now returning to where they belong.
This is also the moment to once again express our gratitude. First and foremost, of course, to the Dutch and Romanian police, the Dutch and Romanian Public Prosecution Service, and national and international agencies, who have worked tirelessly to solve this case. Their dedication has deeply moved us and strengthened our conviction that we would recover the artifacts.
On the Golden Helmet of Cotofenesti, as you can see, two eyes are depicted. They are meant to protect both the wearer and the helmet itself against the Evil Eye. Against misfortune. They have done so successfully for centuries—and even today, they seem to prove their value.
