Italy: Germany returns Italian painting stolen by Nazis 75 years ago

W/S Arrival of German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas in Florence.
M/S Greetings between Heiko Maas, Italian Foreign Minister Enzo Moavero Milanesi and Italian Minister of Culture Alberto Bonisoli
W/S Listening to official music band
M/S Banner of returned Vaso di Fiori
W/S White Room
SOT, Eike Schmidt, director of 'Uffizi Gallery' (Italian): "The painting 'Vaso di Fiori' [vase of flowers] by Jan van Huysum, after 75 years of absence here, from the Palazzio Pitti, here in Florence."
C/U Audience *CUTAWAY*
SOT, Enzo Moavero Milanesi, Italian Foreign Minister (Italian): "We played on the same team and we won. We have brought this picture home thanks to Minister Haas, thanks to Germany's collaboration, thanks to the actions of all the aforementioned institutions and to Italy, our 'never giving up' which has allowed us to achieve this goal."
SOT, Heiko Maas, German Foreign Minister (German): "Over many years our strong friendship grew between Germany and Italy, and this is a great gift. Nothing of it is a given and it is important to protect these achievements, also through gestures like this one today."
SOT, Heiko Maas, German Foreign Minister (German): "Artwork allows identification, they also create identity. Where can you feel that as a European, stronger than here, in Florence. The cradle of the renaissance."
W/S Press conference *CUTAWAY*
M/S Ministers signing restitution document
M/S Ministers shaking hands and taking pictures
W/S Artwork being revealed
W/S Audience applauding
M/S Ministers with 'Vaso di Fiori'
W/S Ministers and Uffizi Gallery director
M/S Vaso di Fiori
C/U Vaso di Fiori
C/U Vaso di Fiori
SOT, Eike Schmidt, director of Uffizi Gallery (Italian): "Justice has won thanks to the power of art. Together we have been able to give justice to history. We have been able to return this painting to Florence together. It is one of the most important pieces of the eighteenth century."
M/S Police with Vaso di FIori
M/S Dario Nardella, Mayor of Florence
SOT, Dario Nardella, Major of Florence (Italian): "Florence today celebrates an unforgettable, memorable day. This, I think, is the best way to make states, cities, and institutions work together. We are very proud."
W/S Journalists around artwork
SCRIPT
The eighteenth century masterpiece 'Vaso di Fiori' (Vase of Flowers) by Jan van Huysum was officially returned to the Palazzo Pitti by German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas in Florence on Friday. Italian Foreign Minister Enzo Moavero Milanesi and Italian Minister of Culture Alberto Bonisoli also took part in the ceremony.
Maas emphasised the importance of maintaining the "strong friendship" between Germany and Italy and said that "this is a great gift, nothing of it is a given and it is important to protect these achievements, also through gestures like this one today."
"Justice has won thanks to the power of art. Together we have been able to give justice to history. We have been able to return this painting to Florence together. It is one of the most important pieces of the eighteenth century," remarked the director of the Uffizi Gallery Eike Schmidt.
Nazi soldiers seized the 'Vaso di Fiori' during their retreat from Florence 75 years ago and brought it back to Germany. The German government has collaborated in the painting's restitution, which was in the possession of a unnamed family.