To prevent Ukrainian works from being looted and ending up on the art market in the chaos of the conflict, Unesco is training law enforcement in neighboring countries, particularly in Poland.
With our correspondent in Warsaw, Martin Chabal
The trafficking of Ukrainian works could take place in the years to come. Krista Pikkat, director of the Culture and Emergency Situations service at Unesco, tries to provide all the tools to customs officers and law enforcement agencies faced with this problem. ” The main goal is prevention, but at the same time, we also wanted to add specific cases so that they can see how it can work. “, she explains.
Coins, religious icons or archaeological artifacts are closely monitored by Unesco and border guards. And in this cross-border struggle, Poland is one of the driving forces. Especially thanks to his experience. ” We have been working with the Ukrainian border for more than 20 years, so we have a lot of knowledge to share during the training workshops explains Katarzyna Zalasinska, director of the Polish Institute of Cultural Heritage.
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A solid basis for detecting works potentially looted in Ukraine and which could end up on the market years after the conflict. Last year, the United States returned 17,000 pieces stolen during the 2003 Iraq war. The situation could be the same for Ukraine. “ At the end, there is always a buyer. It is to avoid this situation that the Polish Institute of Cultural Heritage works closely with the Polish art market. “, insists Katarzeyna Zalasinska.
Poland is very involved in safeguarding Ukrainian heritage. The country offered to host Ukrainian works to avoid looting and destruction.