Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni and US Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle. Photo source: US Ambassador
Greece and the United States are set to renew their Memorandum of Cooperation on cultural heritage protection, a central topic in recent talks between Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni and US Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle.
Signed in 2011 and expiring in November 2026, the memorandum aims to safeguard Greek cultural goods – including ancient artifacts, ecclesiastical items, and ethnological objects – from illicit trafficking.
According to the Greek Culture Ministry, US authorities returned 139 archaeological objects to Greece in 2025 alone.
During their meeting, Mendoni stressed that the two countries should not only deepen existing cooperation but also explore new initiatives to foster a more dynamic cultural partnership.
“In this new era of friendly cooperation between Greece and the United States, culture should hold a central place in bilateral relations,” she said.
Ambassador Guilfoyle voiced full support for initiatives that protect cultural heritage and strengthen Greek–American ties.
Photo source: US Ambassador
Mendoni previews US visit
During the meeting, Mendoni outlined the agenda for her upcoming visit to the United States, where she will meet key State Department officials focused on cultural affairs and engage with members of the Greek diaspora.
Her itinerary includes the inauguration of the new Museum of Ancient Sparta and the ancient Greek-style theater at the University of Connecticut, which plans to stage a performance of ancient Greek drama next year.
Joint cultural initiatives
Mendoni invited Guilfoyle to co-inaugurate an exhibition at the Ancient Agora in Athens next September, showcasing artifacts recently returned from the United States.
The discussion also covered ongoing and future collaborations between the Greek Culture Ministry and major US museums, including the Getty, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of the Bible, and the National Gallery of Art.
The ministers explored a proposal for an exhibition on the ancient Greek Republic to mark the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence. To commemorate the milestone, Mendoni indicated that the ministry is prepared to send a symbolic artifact to the US Congress.
“Greek–American cultural cooperation can become a global model,” Guilfoyle concluded.
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