The art theft at the Drents Museum in Assen hit Romania like a bomb, says Maria Mois of the news medium Euronews in Romania.
“It is seen by historians as a disaster,” she says. “The management of the Romanian National History Museum assumes a targeted action. People are shocked. It can be compared to the theft of an important painting by Vermeer or Rembrandt.”
“The golden helmet of Cotofenesti is one of the most important parts of the history of the Dacians and of Romania. It is one of the masterpieces of the Romanian national cultural heritage. It is suspected that it belonged to a king,” Mois said.
Justice in Romania has started an official investigation and is in contact with their Dutch colleagues, Mois says. It is being investigated, among other things, whether there is also any Romanian involvement.
Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu has emphasized in Romanian media that the loot from the robbers in the Drents Museum must be quickly recovered and returned to Romania. He says he is confident that the Netherlands will quickly apprehend the thieves.
The Romanian Ministry of Culture reports that all stolen pieces were insured. For the exhibition Dacia – Empire of gold and silver were in the museum more than 600 objects from the ancient empire of Dacia can be seen, including more than fifty gold and silver treasures. Dacia was located where Romania is now.
In Romania people are afraid that thieves will melt down the gold art treasures.
