The helmet from Coțofenești will be brought to the country: when will it be able to be seen at the History Museum
The Romanian authorities are preparing the repatriation of the Helmet from Coțofenești and the two Dacian bracelets recovered from Holland, the operation to take place next week, by air, with security ensured in Romania.
The helmet from Coțofenești and the two recovered bracelets/PHOTO: Profimedia
According to a statement sent by the Ministry of Culture, the artifacts will be able to be seen again at the National History Museum of Romania (MNIR), during an event organized on April 21, at 7:30 p.m.
The moment will also be presented through the media, and later the artifacts will become accessible to the general public, both at the headquarters and in the regions of the country, through a dedicated campaign.
“The return of these pieces of heritage is a moment of symbolic repair. Beyond their historical and archaeological value, they carry with them essential fragments of our past and cultural memory that we have a duty to protect and pass on.”
Representatives of the Romanian and Dutch authorities are invited to the event, including the ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the minister of culture from the Netherlands, Rianne Letschert.
The authorities are preparing a temporary exhibition at the MNIR, where the artifacts will be on display for about ten days before restoration.
Meanwhile, on April 14, the Dutch authorities began the trial in the case of the theft of the hoard. MNIR participates as an audited party, and the Romanian authorities are called to continue the coordinated efforts for the complete recovery and management of the impact on the national heritage.
The three men, identified as Jan B. (21 years old), Douglas Chesley W. (37 years old) and Bernhard Z. (35 years old), are being prosecuted for theft and destruction of the museum's assets.
The Coțofenești helmet and two of the three Dacian bracelets were recovered at the beginning of the month, the announcement was made by the famous art detective Arthur Brand, nicknamed the “Indiana Jones of the art world”.
The pieces, owned by the National History Museum of Romania, were stolen on the night of January 24 to 25, 2025 from the Drents Museum in Assen.
In a few minutes, the thieves managed to steal the most important treasures. Their total value was set at 5.8 million euros. Less than a week after the robbery, three suspects were arrested in Heerhugowaard.
