Lending Iranian Artifacts to Foreign Countries Criticized

News Category: Cultural

A veteran Iranian archeologist has objected to giving historical artifacts on loan to foreign countries for displaying in exhibitions.

In an interview with ISNA, Mehdi Rahbar further said, “If we become optimistic about sending the artifacts abroad, we should accept that the objects may be destroyed for whatever reason.“

“I read in Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization’s News Bulletin that a beautiful metallic brooch, which is a priceless object belonging to Iran, has been stolen by Belgium,“ he said, adding that this is while such artifacts were displayed in several European exhibits.

The curator of National Museum had said that the loss was compensated for as the article was insured, he said, adding, “I want to know that whether money serves our purpose.“

He wondered whether the compensation from insurance can make up for the loss of such artifacts which will be useful for future generations.

Pointing to the most accurate methods of imitating artifacts today, Rahbar said, “If such a thing happens to our antiques, what will we do then?“

He noted that it is only countries like Iran which lend its historical objects to other countries. “name a western country which does so for its antiques,“ he asked.

Objecting to the presence of foreign archeological teams in Iran, Rahbar regretted that unfortunately this is on the rise.