594 illegally stolen paintings are back to Mexico

Italy gave back to Mexico 594 paintings illegally stolen around the 60’s from Mexican cultural heritage and exported to the European country, in a ceremony held in the Sala della Crociera of the Ministry for Cultural Assets and Activities in Rome.

“It is an extraordinary symbol of respect for the culture of another country that we restore” these almost 600 works, said the Secretary of Culture of Mexico , Alejandra Frausto Guerrero, after the act of delivery in which he participated together with his Italian colleague , Alberto Bonisoli.

The Italian Minister of Culture, Alberto Bonisoli, who presented the paintings to Alejandra Frausto Guerrero, defended the need to reinforce works between countries. “Today we have the opportunity to return something to the Mexican government and send a signal to the whole world that this restitution marks the direction we should take,” Bonisoli said, and announced that during the coming months the Committee for the restitution of cultural goods to also deal with the issue of outstanding returns to Italy. The minister clarified that they are currently studying about thirty cases in this regard. “We’ll go ahead like a steamroller,” he launched.