The attack on cultural heritage at National Hellenic Museum

WHAT: An important conversation about protecting our shared cultural heritage and antiquities. While recent destruction of antiquities by ISIS has caused a global outcry, the world’s cultural heritage has long been under attack. Consistent looting and illegal trade of antiquities have caused irreparable damage, while providing significant revenue for the funding of terrorism. A panel of heritage protection experts will discuss the causes and consequences of iconoclasm and archaeological looting, and consider what can be done to address these problems.

WHO: Moderator: Fiona Rose-Greenland, Research Fellow with the Neubauer Collegium for Culture and Society at the University of Chicago Panel speakers: Matthew Bogdanos, Marine Reserves colonel, New York Homicide prosecutor and classics scholar who became known as the “Raider of the Lost Art” for leading the search for antiquities stolen from Iraq’s National Museum in 2003 Patty Gerstenblith, DePaul University law professor and director of the Center for Art, Museum & Cultural Heritage Lawrence Rothfield, University of Chicago professor and lead investigator for “The Past for Sale” research project at the University of Chicago Interviews with the panelists and NHM President of Cultural Affairs, Connie Mourtoupalas are available.

WHEN: 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Thursday, February 18, 2016

WHERE: National Hellenic Museum 333 S. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60661

WHY: This lecture is one of a series of events in support of The Greeks exhibition at The Field Museum. It provides a timely reminder that recent looting and illegal trade of antiquities is destroying our shared heritage, causing irreparable damage and producing significant revenue for terrorists.

Tickets available at https://www.nationalhellenicmuseum.org/calendar/antiquities-in-peril/

### Located in Chicago’s Greektown, the sleek 40,000-square-foot National Hellenic Museum at 333. S. Halsted St. is both contemporary and timeless, connecting all generations—past, present and future—to the rich heritage of Greek history, culture, art and the Greek American experience. The National Hellenic Museum, previously known as the Hellenic Museum and Cultural Center, has been fulfilling this mission since 1983.