盗まれた神像、米美術館から元の寺院に　ネパール

【カトマンズＡＦＰ＝時事】ネパールの首都カトマンズで４日、１９８４年に寺院から盗まれ、米国から返還されていたヒンズー教の神像が、元の場所に安置された。（写真はネパールの首都カトマンズ郊外で、返還された石像をみこしで運ぶ人）
　安置されたのはヒンズー教の神ラクシュミーとナラヤンが一体化した石像で、１２～１５世紀に作られたもの。ネパールと米国当局などの数か月に及ぶ調査を経て、今年３月に米テキサス州のダラス美術館と米連邦捜査局（ＦＢＩ）によってネパールに返還された。
　盗難から６年後、収集家が貸し出し、ダラス美術館に展示されたことで所在が判明した。
　僧侶がお経を唱え、地元市民が伝統音楽を演奏する中、マリーゴールドの花で飾られたみこしに乗せられた石像が寺院に到着。像は台座に戻され、それまで代わりに安置されていたレプリカはその横に移された。
　ネパール遺産回収キャンペーン（ＮＨＲＣ）のディレンドラ・ラージ・シュレスタ氏によると、像を守るため、寺院にはレーザーセンサーと監視カメラが設置された。
　ネパールにはヒンズー教と仏教の寺院が数多く存在する。数百年前に作られた彫刻や絵画、飾り窓、扉は１９５０年代以降、盗難に遭ったものも多い。その大半は、わいろを受け取った公務員の助けを得て盗まれたもので、欧米のアート市場に流れた。
　今年だけで６点の美術品がネパールに返還された。当局は、フランス、米国、英国にさらなる返還を求めていく方針。【翻訳編集ＡＦＰＢＢＮｅｗｓ】

〔ＡＦＰ＝時事〕（2021/12/08-12:24）

A centuries-old sculpture of two Hindu gods was re-installed at its temple in the Nepali capital Kathmandu on Saturday, nearly 40 years after it was stolen and later emerged in the United States.
The stone statue of the gods Laxmi and Narayan was repatriated to Nepal in March by the Dallas Museum of Art and the FBI after a months-long investigation by Nepali and American activists and officials.
It was taken from the temple in 1984 and appeared on display at the Dallas museum six years later, on loan from a collector.
The work, dating back to between the 12th and 15th centuries, is one of a handful of cultural artefacts returned to Nepal from foreign museums and collectors this year.
A priest chanted prayers and locals played traditional music as the statue was carried in a palanquin back to the pagoda-style temple, which was draped in marigold garlands to welcome the work.
It was placed back on its original stone plinth, with a replica that locals had been worshipping instead moved to stand alongside.
We are very happy. Our efforts of three to four years have been fruitful, everyone is celebrating, said Dilendra Raj Shrestha of the Nepal Heritage Recovery Campaign.
Laser sensors and CCTV cameras have now been installed in the temple to protect the statue, he added.
We are seeing the beginning of a trend, to bring back Nepal's gods from the United States, from Europe, from other countries where they have now ended up, said the US ambassador to Nepal Randy Berry.
I hope this is the first of many such celebrations.
Nepal is deeply religious and its Hindu and Buddhist temples as well as heritage sites remain an integral part of people's everyday lives.
But many sites are bereft of centuries-old sculptures, paintings, ornamental windows and even doors, which were often stolen after the country opened up to the outside world in the 1950s.
Many pieces were taken with the help of corrupt officials to feed art markets in the United States, Europe and elsewhere.
I think there is a global change... Many countries are demanding their artefacts back and Nepal is in a great position legally because export was never permitted, said arts crime professor Erin L. Thompson.
A tweet by Thompson questioning the statue's origin and history had prompted the investigation into the sculpture.
Six pieces have been returned to Nepal this year and authorities are seeking more from France, the United States and Britain.