Berlin Help Desk Opens to Recover Nazi-Looted Art

The German Lost Art Foundation has opened a new Help Desk in Berlin to assist individuals and families seeking to recover cultural assets seized during the Nazi regime. Funded by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and Media, the office is led by art historian Susanne Meyer-Abich and operates five days a week with phone, appointment, and email availability. The Help Desk aims to provide guidance and support for researching and reclaiming lost artworks, particularly for non-German speakers needing historical and legal advice. The Foundation, established in 2015 by the German federal government and municipal associations, serves as the primary national and international contact for cases of illegal confiscations of cultural property from the 19th and 20th centuries, with a focus on Nazi-era persecution. Academic director Gilbert Lupfer noted that victims and their descendants have long requested more expert consultation to connect with museums, libraries, and authorities in Germany. The initiative follows high-profile restitution cases, such as the return of two Flemish paintings to the Max Stern Foundation after the dealer was forced to liquidate his gallery and flee the Nazis. The Help Desk represents Germany's continued commitment to addressing historical injustices and facilitating the recovery of looted cultural assets.