Italian Grandson Returns Ancient Vase to Greece

Paolo Catti De Gasperi, the grandson of former Italian Prime Minister Alcide De Gasperi, has returned a 5th-century BC krater to Greece, originally gifted by Greek Prime Minister Alexandros Papagos in 1953 to signify friendship after Italy ceded the Dodecanese islands to Greece. The ancient vase, known for its excellent preservation and intricate decoration, was presented during a ceremony at the Greek embassy in Rome, attended by Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni. Mendoni emphasized that this act is not a typical repatriation, as the vase was legally held but voluntarily returned, highlighting a shared cultural heritage. The vase will be displayed at the Kerameikos Museum in Athens, and Mendoni thanked Catti De Gasperi for his generosity. This return is seen as a continuation of cooperative cultural relations between Greece and Italy, with Mendoni noting the importance of cultural artifacts remaining in their country of origin. The event coincided with Mendoni's participation in the G7 Culture Conference in Naples.