The Canada-Italy Symposium on crimes against cultural property, organized by the Department of Canadian Heritage with the support of the Embassy of Italy in Canada, was held yesterday at the Canadian War Museum.
The event was attended, among others, by MGen. Francesco Gargaro, Chief of the Carabinieri Command for the protection of cultural heritage (TPC), at the invitation of Canadian authorities, as well as by academics, legal experts, and various representatives from Canada’s law enforcement and cultural institutions.
In his opening speech, the Ambassador of Italy to Canada, Alessandro Cattaneo, emphasized how Italy’s universally recognized expertise and the presence of approximately 70% of the world’s cultural heritage on Italian soil alongside the significant commitment of Canadian museum institutions to an ethical approach to cultural goods provide the best foundation for deepening bilateral cooperation in this field.
The Symposium was followed by an official ceremony marking the return of three reliquaries from the Canadian Government to the Republic of Italy – a bone relic and a medallion belonging to Saint Nicholas of Bari (also known as Saint Nicholas of Myra), and a wooden statuette representing the Saint – illicitly imported into Canada and intercepted in 2020 by Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). Other important artistic treasures are in the process of being returned to Italy, thanks to the joint efforts of the institutions of both countries.
The day concluded with a reception at the Ambassador’s Residence, which was attended by representatives from the Canadian political, institutional, cultural, and media realms.
The initiative launched by the Department of Canadian Heritage and the participation of the Carabinieri TPC reflect a shared vision in the fight against art crime and mark a strategic leap forward in the Italian-Canadian partnership.
