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Russia-Germany row over war loot mars exhibition opening Russia-Germany row over war loot mars exhibition opening
(3 months later)
The grand opening of an exhibition of Bronze Age treasures in St Petersburg on Friday night was cancelled after a diplomatic row between Germany and Russia, with Moscow objecting to Angela Merkel's plan to use her speech to refer to hundreds of German works of art looted by Red Army soldiers after the war.The grand opening of an exhibition of Bronze Age treasures in St Petersburg on Friday night was cancelled after a diplomatic row between Germany and Russia, with Moscow objecting to Angela Merkel's plan to use her speech to refer to hundreds of German works of art looted by Red Army soldiers after the war.
The spat overshadowed Merkel's visit to Russia after a German government spokesman announced she would return earlier than expected from her one-day trip, apparently over "inconsistencies" in the speeches to have been given by the German chancellor and Russian president Vladimir Putin at a joint opening of the exhibition.The spat overshadowed Merkel's visit to Russia after a German government spokesman announced she would return earlier than expected from her one-day trip, apparently over "inconsistencies" in the speeches to have been given by the German chancellor and Russian president Vladimir Putin at a joint opening of the exhibition.
Earlier on Friday, the German spokesman said the Bronze Age, Europe Without Borders event at the Hermitage, which was meant to cement relations between Moscow and Berlin but has ended up inflaming a row dating from the end of the second world war, had been called off by the Russian side who had said Putin had no time to attend.Earlier on Friday, the German spokesman said the Bronze Age, Europe Without Borders event at the Hermitage, which was meant to cement relations between Moscow and Berlin but has ended up inflaming a row dating from the end of the second world war, had been called off by the Russian side who had said Putin had no time to attend.
After hours of thinly disguised recriminations on both sides, the two leaders announced, an hour before the exhibition was due to open, they would indeed attend but there would be no joint opening and Merkel's speech had been cancelled.After hours of thinly disguised recriminations on both sides, the two leaders announced, an hour before the exhibition was due to open, they would indeed attend but there would be no joint opening and Merkel's speech had been cancelled.
Admitting there had been a "problem" which had been resolved, Merkel told a press conference: "A one-to-one discussion among ourselves meant that we were able to remove an obstacle which would have prevented us from going there. We have now agreed that we will go to the Hermitage this evening and so the problem as such has been resolved."Admitting there had been a "problem" which had been resolved, Merkel told a press conference: "A one-to-one discussion among ourselves meant that we were able to remove an obstacle which would have prevented us from going there. We have now agreed that we will go to the Hermitage this evening and so the problem as such has been resolved."
The issue dominated the joint press conference, sidelining topics such as Syria and the two countries' trade, worth $100m a year.The issue dominated the joint press conference, sidelining topics such as Syria and the two countries' trade, worth $100m a year.
But Putin insisted no plans had been altered, saying it had been unclear whether the inauguration would fit into Merkel's schedule. "We didn't cancel anything. It was only ever to do with whether or not we'd have the time."But Putin insisted no plans had been altered, saying it had been unclear whether the inauguration would fit into Merkel's schedule. "We didn't cancel anything. It was only ever to do with whether or not we'd have the time."
However, on the topic of war booty, he said: "This is a very touchy question for the societies of both countries. We need to look for solutions, rather than inflating the problem."However, on the topic of war booty, he said: "This is a very touchy question for the societies of both countries. We need to look for solutions, rather than inflating the problem."
The two appeared stern and lacking any warmth towards each other as they attempted to explain the discrepancies.The two appeared stern and lacking any warmth towards each other as they attempted to explain the discrepancies.
The exhibition of 1,700 works is the result of years of collaboration between museums in both countries.The exhibition of 1,700 works is the result of years of collaboration between museums in both countries.
The government spokesman said earlier in the day that in her speech Merkel was likely to have expressed a wish to see the looted art objects returned to Germany.The government spokesman said earlier in the day that in her speech Merkel was likely to have expressed a wish to see the looted art objects returned to Germany.
Among the exhibits to be shown are the Treasure of Eberswalde, recognised by archaeologists as one of the best Bronze Age hoards to be discovered in Europe, the 81 objects including arm jewellery and goblets. The treasure, which has not been on public show since the war, is among 600 of the exhibits which were taken to Russia from Berlin during or after the war when the Red army descended on the capital of the defeated Third Reich. Others include treasures from Werder, Sonnewalde, Dieskau and Weissagk.Among the exhibits to be shown are the Treasure of Eberswalde, recognised by archaeologists as one of the best Bronze Age hoards to be discovered in Europe, the 81 objects including arm jewellery and goblets. The treasure, which has not been on public show since the war, is among 600 of the exhibits which were taken to Russia from Berlin during or after the war when the Red army descended on the capital of the defeated Third Reich. Others include treasures from Werder, Sonnewalde, Dieskau and Weissagk.
An estimated 2.5m items were sent to the Soviet Union, leaving museums in eastern Germany almost bare.An estimated 2.5m items were sent to the Soviet Union, leaving museums in eastern Germany almost bare.
According to the Russian culture ministry, less than 10% of the artworks looted from Germany are still in Russia, after it returned 1.5m between 1955 and 1960. Some 300 trainloads of war booty were brought back from St Petersburg and Moscow in 1958 as a gesture of friendship towards the then communist East Germany. Among the returned treasures was the Pergamon altar, one of Berlin's main tourist attractions.According to the Russian culture ministry, less than 10% of the artworks looted from Germany are still in Russia, after it returned 1.5m between 1955 and 1960. Some 300 trainloads of war booty were brought back from St Petersburg and Moscow in 1958 as a gesture of friendship towards the then communist East Germany. Among the returned treasures was the Pergamon altar, one of Berlin's main tourist attractions.
But, according to German authorities, 1 million objects are still missing. Apart from the Treasure of Eberswalde, Russia is still in possession of the Treasure of Priamos, objects found in Troy by Heinrich Schliemann in 1873, which Moscow's Pushkin Museum has shown as part of its permanent collection since 1996.But, according to German authorities, 1 million objects are still missing. Apart from the Treasure of Eberswalde, Russia is still in possession of the Treasure of Priamos, objects found in Troy by Heinrich Schliemann in 1873, which Moscow's Pushkin Museum has shown as part of its permanent collection since 1996.
Merkel's main reason for travelling to Russia was to participate in an economic forum in St Petersburg, but it was overshadowed by the dispute.Merkel's main reason for travelling to Russia was to participate in an economic forum in St Petersburg, but it was overshadowed by the dispute.
While German museums agreed to collaborate with Russia over the Hermitage exhibition, they did so on the understanding that they would maintain what they see as the country's legal right to see the works returned to German soil.While German museums agreed to collaborate with Russia over the Hermitage exhibition, they did so on the understanding that they would maintain what they see as the country's legal right to see the works returned to German soil.
Germany has always insisted its claims are supported by international law, while Russia says the treasures were paid for by the blood of its soldiers.Germany has always insisted its claims are supported by international law, while Russia says the treasures were paid for by the blood of its soldiers.
Moscow also cites the artworks destroyed by German troops during the war, which a commission for the Establishment of the Crimes of the German-Fascist Conquerors and their Accomplices estimated amounted to more than 110m books and publications following the plundering of 427 Soviet museums and 4,000 libraries.Moscow also cites the artworks destroyed by German troops during the war, which a commission for the Establishment of the Crimes of the German-Fascist Conquerors and their Accomplices estimated amounted to more than 110m books and publications following the plundering of 427 Soviet museums and 4,000 libraries.
German-Russian relations are already strained over issues including Syria and the political pressure recently exerted on a German foundation operating in Russia. Although she speaks fluent Russian, Merkel has never had a good relationship with Putin. In contrast, Helmut Kohl used to visit the sauna with Boris Yeltsin, and Gerhard Schröder went sledging with Putin and once had a playful snowball fight with him.German-Russian relations are already strained over issues including Syria and the political pressure recently exerted on a German foundation operating in Russia. Although she speaks fluent Russian, Merkel has never had a good relationship with Putin. In contrast, Helmut Kohl used to visit the sauna with Boris Yeltsin, and Gerhard Schröder went sledging with Putin and once had a playful snowball fight with him.
In what appeared to be an attempt to alleviate the tension triggered by Friday's row, Putin presented Merkel with a large etching at the end of their press conference.In what appeared to be an attempt to alleviate the tension triggered by Friday's row, Putin presented Merkel with a large etching at the end of their press conference.
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