Günay opens archaeology fair in Italy

LONDON - Agence France-Presse

Culture and Tourism Minister Günay opened the Tourism Archaeology Fair. AFP photo

Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Ertuğrul Günay inaugurated the 14th Mediterranean Tourism Archaeology Fair in the Italian city of Paestum on Nov. 17.

Turkey is the guest of honor at the fair, which has drawn participants from nearly 30 countries.

Speaking at a discussion panel after the opening ceremony, Günay said Turkey had been exerting efforts to reclaim historical artifacts illegally removed from the country and added that a Hittite sphinx from Germany and the upper part of a Hercules statue from the U.S. had recently been returned to Turkey.

“I believe that all those ancient artifacts will one day return to where they truly belong,” Günay said