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Beyond Restoration

The Role of Restorers and Conservators in Supporting Law Enforcement in the Combatting Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Goods

An event on future policies and best practices, organised by the RITHMS Project

Restorers and conservators are uniquely positioned to support efforts against the illicit trafficking of cultural property, yet their essential role in this mission is often overlooked.

The Beyond Restoration event, organised by the EU- funded RITHMS project, aims to spotlight the critical role of conservator-restorers in this field. Held in Brussels, Belgium, on December 4th, this event will bring this critical issue to the forefront, exploring how restorers can sometimes unintentionally become entangled in illegal activities but, more importantly, how they can actively contribute to combatting these crimes.

Beyond Restoration will feature expert panel discussions, a hands-on workshop, and engaging dialogues to address the complex challenges restorers and conservators face in their work. The event will emphasise the need for a careful balance between preserving cultural artefacts and ensuring that these efforts do not inadvertently support the illegal trade in cultural heritage.

The RITHMS project seeks to foster collaborative networks among conservator-restorers, law enforcement agencies, and cultural institutions, equipping restorers to adopt a proactive approach in identifying and preventing illegal activities related to cultural property.

Participants will gain a nuanced understanding of the existing challenges, along with practical strategies and best practices to reinforce their crucial role in protecting cultural heritage. Additionally, the event will culminate in formulating recommendations for EU policies, providing a pathway for enhanced support and guidance on this issue at the European level.

4 December 2024
Brussels, Belgium

Program

9:00

Welcome and Registration


Morning Session

9:30 - 9:45

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Arianna Traviglia - Italian Institute of Technology, RITHMS Coordinator

Lajos Rajczy - Permanent Representation of Hungary to the EU


9:45 - 10:30

Institutional Keynote Speakers

EU Action Plan against Trafficking in Cultural Goods

Céline Chazelas-Baur - Policy Officer DG HOME

The Commission Expert Subgroup on Art Market

Oscar Seguro Apostolo - Policy Officer DG EAC

The Concept on Cultural heritage in conflicts and crises. A component for peace and security in European Union’s external action

Alfio Gullotta - Policy Officer DG EEAS


10:30 - 11:00

Coffee Break


11:00 - 12:30

Experts Panel

The Restorer’s Perspective

Monica Redondo - Council of Europe

Elis Marcal & Kristian Schneider - E.C.C.O.

Evelyne Godfrey - Uffington Heritage Watch, England; European Association of Archaeologists, EAA Committee on the Illicit Trade in Cultural Material


12:30 - 13:30

Lunch Break


Afternoon Session

13:30 - 15:00

Investigative Panel

The Law Enforcement Perspective & Practical Case-Studies

Tiziano Coiro - INTERPOL

Silvia Valencia - Spanish National Police

Richard Bronswijk - Dutch National Police

Diego Polio - Italian Carabinieri TPC

Nicole Pogantke - German Federal Police


15:00 - 15:30

Coffee Break


15:30 - 16.45

Operational Workshop

Challenges & Solutions, towards EU Policies Recommendations

Participants: Restorers, Conservators and Heritage Professionals (challenges), LEAs/Border Authorities (challenges & solutions), Institutions (solutions)
Moderator: RITHMS Coordinator team

Conservator-restorers will have the opportunity to:
 • Share their practical experiences and strategies for addressing issues related to licit provenance verification.
 • Discuss the tension between ethical standards and market pressures in restoring potentially illicit cultural heritage.
 • Explore protocols to strengthen the collaboration with police forces, improve transparency, and safeguard the integrity of the restoration process and the legitimacy of the art market.


16:45 - 17:00

Closing Remarks


Getting here

The Event will take place at Sparks Meeting - Room The Balcony
Rue Ravenstein, 60 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium