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news & updates highlights developments in the world of cultural heritage preservation, delivers the latest information about SAFE, and features ways to help stem the looting and illicit trade of antiquities.
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US says YES to Cyprus
 The US State Department announced on July 13 its decision to extend the import restrictions on cultural property from Cyprus for another 5 years. In addition, certain categories of coins dating from 6th century BC to 235 A.D have been added to the list of objects to be covered by this bilateral agreement.
According to the US Federal Register, this decision was made after "reviewing the findings and recommendations of the Cultural Property Advisory Committee (CPAC), the Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs, United States Department of State, concluding that the cultural heritage of Cyprus continues to be in jeopardy from pillage of certain archaeological objects and ethnological materials."
SAFE applauds this decision as another step towards intergovernmental cooperation to protect our shared cultural heritage. We also thank all those who answered our call to send in letters to CPAC in support of the agreement.
We hope this will set a precedence for other countries seeking similar protection, as we anxiously await the decision on China's request for a bilateral agreement.
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Toronto children pay tribute to cultural heritage
 This April, a Toronto 5th grade student saw the SAFE- produced video "Remember Iraq's Heritage, Our Heritage" to promote the Global Candlelight Vigil for the Iraq Museum. He was so moved that he decided to involve his class to participate in the Vigil. His teacher agreed that it would be a suitable enrichment activity.
To support this, SAFE sent brochures, buttons and a DVD of the video so that the whole class could watch it together at the Vigil. In addition, SAFE arranged for Member Leah Bevington to attend the Vigil, which took place on April 12. Leah spoke about the tragedy of the museum, and how looting and the black market affected the study of ancient civilizations. The presentation was followed by questions, which were bright, precocious, hard-hitting and perceptive. The students were especially attuned to the moral aspects of the problem.
The teacher then led the students in a moment of silence, when they were asked to think about what the loss of cultural heritage meant to them. At the end of the Vigil, the class wrote down their thoughts, which resulted in a poem which they presented to SAFE.
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Meet SAFE on Facebook
 Since many of SAFE's worldwide members will never get to meet each other in person, we've created a Facebook group to help bridge the divide.
This is an online community where SAFE members can get to know each other and network with people who share their concerns about the loss of cultural heritage. It's also an effective way to introduce SAFE and its mission to friends and family on the Facebook network.
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Spotlight on SAFE Member, art investigator
 Thomas McShane has spent the last thirty-five years tracking stolen art as part of the FBI's art theft division. His new book, "Stolen Masterpiece Tracker: The Dangerous Life of the FBI's #1 Art Sleuth" (Barricade Books, 2006) details some of his adventures pursuing stolen masterpieces and artifacts.
Trained as a lawyer, McShane entered the FBI immediately after graduating from Fordham Law School and accidentally fell into the field after an assignment to recover a stolen Picasso at an Oklahoma airport. Instantly hooked, McShane took the opportunity to educate himself while submerged in the New York art scene and has dedicated the rest of his life to recovering works of art.
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In the news
- U.S. State Dept. Adds Coins to Bilateral Agreement Extension
- Greek Culture Minister Voulgarakis battles antiquities smuggling
- Italian Culture Minister Rutelli Threatens Getty Museum
- UNESCO, Interpol, ICOM battle internet sales
- Crackdown Curbs Italy's "Tomb Raiders"
- Patrimony tug of war between Sicily and Getty Museum continues
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SAFE/Saving Antiquities for Everyone, Inc. creates educational programs and media campaigns to raise public awareness about the importance of preserving cultural heritage world-wide. SAFE is a coalition of professionals in communications, media, and advertising working alongside experts in the academic, legal and law enforcement communities. SAFE is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and has no political affiliations.
We wish to thank the Museum Security Network Mailinglist and other sources for their work.
SAFE/Saving Antiquities for Everyone ©2007 All Rights Reserved. |
phone: 201-626-3460
web: http://www.savingantiquities.org |
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