Drents Museum director reflects on art theft during his final year

The Drents Museum experienced a significant art theft in January 2025, shortly before director Harry Tupan's retirement after 45 years. Three gold bracelets and a 2,500-year-old gold helmet were stolen from the "Dacia – Kingdom of Gold and Silver" exhibition. Seven suspects have been arrested, but the artifacts remain missing. Tupan, who began his career at the museum at age 22, views the theft as a scar on his otherwise fulfilling tenure, though he remains optimistic about the objects' return.