Greek PM urges Burnham to return Elgin Marbles permanently
Mitsotakis says a loan would require Greece to accept British Museum ownership, while 72% of Britons support the sculptures’ return, a poll found.
- On Thursday, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis urged "political will and courage" in a new The Guardian article, calling for permanent reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures in Athens to resolve the dispute with Britain.
- The Parthenon Sculptures were taken to Britain in the early 19th century by Thomas Bruce, 7th Earl of Elgin. While Britain claims they were "legally acquired," Greece disputes the validity of the Ottoman permit.
- Mitsotakis rejects the British Museum's suggested Bayeux Tapestry loan model, arguing the Parthenon Sculptures constitute a unique monument. Athens refuses to accept any agreement requiring Greece to treat its heritage as items it is "borrowing."
- Reports on Wednesday suggested years of negotiations have "collapsed" amid Greek frustration over lack of progress. A British Museum spokesperson countered that its "openness to a deal is unchanged."
- Mitsotakis cited a poll showing 72% of Britons support returning the Sculptures, believing restoration of the monument—tied to democracy's birth—offers a unique model for future cultural friendship between the nations.
79 Articles
79 Articles
In the dispute over the Parthenon friezes exhibited in London for more than 200 years, Athens tightens the tone. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis refuses a mere loan and demands that the ancient sculptures be brought back to Greece permanently.
In the years of dispute between the UK and Greece about a possible return of the ancient Parthenon fries, Athens has increased the pressure. The pieces belonged to the Acropolis Museum in Athens, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis wrote in a opinion article for the British "Guardian" published on Thursday. The "Daily Telegraph" had previously reported that Greece had broken the negotiations on the fries parts - out of frustration about "la…
Mitsotakis pushes Burnham. But Britain slows down and dialogue with the British Museum appears stalled (ANSA)
A 1963 British law prevents the museum from making restitutions, but for decades Greece has been calling for the return of these archaeological treasures exhibited for two centuries in London.
In a forum published in the "Guardian" on Thursday, 24 September, the Greek Prime Minister, who desperately seeks to recover the marbles exiled for 200 years, says that "pleasing for reunification does not mean emptying the world's museums".
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