Spain Returns Smuggled Artifacts to Egypt

Some of the antiquities, which are to be returned to Egypt by the Spanish Civil Guard, are seen before the news conference at the National Archaeological Museum in Madrid, Spain, December 20, 2021. REUTERS/Juan Medina
Some of the antiquities, which are to be returned to Egypt by the Spanish Civil Guard, are seen before the news conference at the National Archaeological Museum in Madrid, Spain, December 20, 2021. REUTERS/Juan Medina
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Spain Returns Smuggled Artifacts to Egypt

Some of the antiquities, which are to be returned to Egypt by the Spanish Civil Guard, are seen before the news conference at the National Archaeological Museum in Madrid, Spain, December 20, 2021. REUTERS/Juan Medina
Some of the antiquities, which are to be returned to Egypt by the Spanish Civil Guard, are seen before the news conference at the National Archaeological Museum in Madrid, Spain, December 20, 2021. REUTERS/Juan Medina

Spain returned 36 stolen antiquities to Egyptian officials on Monday, including figurines of gods and goddesses and ancient jars meant to hold human remains.

The artifacts - among them a granite carving of the lion's head of the warrior goddess Sekhmet - were taken illegally from archaeological sites, officials said.

Smugglers brought them to Spain where police seized then after an investigation in 2014.

Egypt's ambassador to Spain, Youssef Diaeldin Mekkawy, received them at a ceremony at the National Archaeological Museum in Madrid.

"The recovery of these 36 archaeological pieces is a successful operation that has lasted years, an operation coordinated between Egyptian and Spanish authorities," Reuters quoted him as saying.

The artifacts, worth more than 150,000 euros ($170,000), were all probably looted from sites at Saqqara and Mit Rahina, Spanish police said.

Egypt and other states have stepped up campaigns for the return of artifacts taken by smugglers or looted by imperial powers.



Saudi Arabia Showcases Cinema at Malmö Arab Film Festival, Scandinavian Tour

The Film Commission is taking part in the Malmö Arab Film Festival - SPA
The Film Commission is taking part in the Malmö Arab Film Festival - SPA
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Saudi Arabia Showcases Cinema at Malmö Arab Film Festival, Scandinavian Tour

The Film Commission is taking part in the Malmö Arab Film Festival - SPA
The Film Commission is taking part in the Malmö Arab Film Festival - SPA

The Film Commission is taking part in the Malmö Arab Film Festival, underway in Sweden from April 29 to May 5, underscoring its commitment to elevating the global profile of Saudi cinema.
As part of this initiative, the commission partnered with the festival to organize an Arabian Nights event, a tour across seven cities in three Scandinavian countries running from April 27 to May 8, SPA reported.
This tour features screenings of select Saudi films, followed by engaging dialogue sessions with Saudi filmmakers and talent.

The goal is to introduce Saudi cinematic voices to a wider international audience and highlight the growing potential and ongoing development within the Kingdom's film sector.