Crime: Church Art Theft Impoverishing Albanian Culture

DEUTSCHE WELLE
By Angelina Verbica

Damaged Onufri frescoes, such as this one in Vlash, attest to thieves' failed efforts

ALBANIA---Since the end of communism in Albania, an increasing number of priceless works of art have been stolen from Orthodox churches. Now, a theft that left historic frescoes destroyed has finally caused an uproar. any of the destroyed works were by Onufri, a famous icon painter of the 16th century anhd the best-known medieval artist in Albania. The thefts sparked broad outrage in the media, especially among archaeologists. Paradoxically, works of religious art were safer during the communist dictatorship in Albania than today - even though the exercise of religion was forbidden in the world's first atheist state, and churches were even destroyed. [link]