‘It’s like kidnapping’: New campaign demands return of Egyptian artefacts from European museums

A new campaign launched in Egypt last week to mark the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) is demanding the return of Egyptian artefacts kept in European museums and has already garnered over 300,000 signatures for its petition.

The campaign was launched by archaeologist and former tourism minister Zahi Hawass along with Fadi Victor, a filmmaker and photographer.

The campaign comes after much fanfare surrounding the opening of the GEM, which became accessible to the public after two decades of work and an estimated cost of $1 billion.

Located just 1.2 miles away from the pyramids of Giza, the museum is considered the world’s largest archaeological facility for a single civilisation. The celebrations around the opening have also led to calls for antiquities to be returned to Egypt.

In the campaign video, Hawass and Victor demand that the Rosetta Stone, The Zodiac of Dandara and the Bust of Nefertiti are all returned.

The video has caught the attention of thousands of people who agree with the message behind it.

"Seeing our stolen artifacts still displayed abroad made me feel a strong emotional drive to do something about it," Victor told The New Arab.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Fadi Victor | فادي ڤيكتور (@itsfadivictor)

The young photographer who regularly showcases life, history and culture in Egypt said he was not officially part of the campaign, but “involved himself” when he once saw Hawass talking about the topic in a talk show.

Victor’s efforts to bring back Egyptian artefacts to the country have been ongoing since 2023 when he started a petition which went viral, leading him to meet Hawass in person and proposing the 2025 campaign which coincided with the opening of GEM.

One of the key messages in the campaign video is dispelling any notions or beliefs that Egyptian artefacts are safer abroad.

"Imagine someone kidnapping your child and saying, "they’re safer with me." That doesn’t change the fact that the child was taken from their home! And it’s the same with our Egyptian artefacts," he said.

"These pieces were stolen from our land, and no matter how people try to justify it, that truth remains," he continued, noting the recent Louvre theft, which saw nine items stolen, one of which was worth around £76 million.

During the heist, the thieves dropped precious items, including Empress Eugenie’s crown, made from diamonds, emeralds and gold. The Marie-Louise necklace and a pair of earrings were also among the items stolen.

Victor said that despite events in Egypt and turmoil in the region, the country remains a safe place for the artefacts, and their true place of belonging.

"In the past ten years alone, Egypt has built more than 22 new museums across the country and restored many old ones, including the Greco-Roman Museum and the Museum of Civilisation and many others. This shows our dedication to preserving and honouring our heritage," he said.

While the petition has amassed a significant response internationally, Victor says even if it doesn’t succeed in bringing the items back to Egypt, it is still a key step in educating people and stands as proof for the next generations that they didn’t stay silent.

He maintains that the return of the artefacts are particularly important in the decolonisation of foreign museums.

"These artifacts were taken during times of colonization, not when Egypt was free… They were taken when the British and French were here, and we didn’t have the chance to defend our heritage. Returning these pieces is not just about correcting history, it’s about helping the West take a mature step toward acknowledging the past and showing that they’re ready to be on the right side of history," he continued.

A spokesperson at the British Museum in London told The New Arab: "We have received no formal request from the Egyptian Government to repatriate the Rosetta Stone. The British Museum works with partners all over the world including with colleagues throughout Egypt on projects, exhibitions and research and we enjoy a long-standing and collaborative relationship with the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities."

The museum also emphasised that it is unable to return objects permanently from its collection outside of exceptional circumstances and is bound by the British Museum Act 1963.

The Rosetta Stone was taken by British forces in 1802 after it was discovered by the French in 1799. The artefact was essential to deciphering ancient Egyptian language after it was translated.

The Bust of Nefertiti is held at the Neues Museum in Berlin, while the Dendera zodiac ceiling is displayed at the Musee du Louvre in Paris.

Following the opening of GEM, the Netherlands announced it would return a 3,500-year-old stone head from the Thutmose III dynasty, a move which was highly commended.

The handover will take place later this year under the 1970 UNESCO Convention.

Egypt banned the export of all historic items in 1983, but new discoveries are frequently made, and black market sale of artefacts remains profitable.

Still, Egypt continues to demand the return of items with the Repatriate Rashid campaign in 2022 demanding the return of 16 objects taken as "spoils of war", to Egypt.