Should Parthenon Marbles returned Greece?
The Parthenon Marbles belong to Athens and they should now return, The Times of London, Britain’s leading newspaper, says in its main editorial on Wednesday. It is a spectacular u-turn for the Times which admits that for decades it had resisted the repatriation of the antiquities from the British Museum.
Are the Parthenon Marbles returning?
The treasure was returned last week to Greece by the Antonio Salinas Regional Archaeological Museum in Sicily, ostensibly as part of a cultural exchange. Under the deal it was agreed that the loan, due to expire in 2026, could be extended for a further four years.
Why does Greece want the Parthenon marbles returned to them?
To circumvent rules forbidding “deaccessioning”, these moves are often couched as “permanent loans”. In 1941, during the second world war, the British Foreign Office actively considered the Parthenon marbles’ return as a gesture of support for Greek nationalism, as and when the war should end.
Are the Elgin Marbles going back to Greece?
In 2021, UNESCO issued its first decision on the Parthenon Marbles, calling for the United Kingdom to return them to Greece….
| Elgin Marbles | |
|---|---|
| Year | c. 447–438 BCE |
| Type | Marble |
| Dimensions | 75 m (246 ft) |
| Location | British Museum, London |
Who should keep the Parthenon marbles?
A former UK culture minister says that the Parthenon Marbles should be returned to Greece, fuelling the long-standing debate over the reunification of the fifth-century works that have been housed at the British Museum since the early 19th century.
Why won’t the British Museum return the Parthenon marbles?
“They just don’t want to take responsibility,” she said. In September, a UNESCO committee on returning contested artifacts said the dispute over the marbles “has an intergovernmental character and, therefore, the obligation to return the Parthenon sculptures lies squarely on the United Kingdom government.”
Should we give back the Elgin Marbles?
Greece, foundation of Western civilization, member of the European Union, is one of us, not one of them.” In other words, returning the Elgin Marbles today would only reinforce the colonial principle that museums are places where “Western” powers display the cultural treasures of the “global south.” And that principle …
Why does Greece want the British Museum to return the marbles?
Perhaps the most impassioned argument for the return of the Parthenon sculptures is that the pieces represent a vital and central part of Greek cultural heritage. That they are the most prominent and symbolic link that modern Athens and modern Athenians have with the greatness of their ancient ancestors.
Should the Parthenon Marbles be repatriated to Greece?
More MPs and peers have expressed support for the repatriation of the Parthenon marbles to Greece as protesters in London mark the 13th anniversary of the opening of the Athens museum where they believe they belong.
Can We reconstruct the marbles of ancient Greece?
Last month, at an event at Keats House in London, I tried to change that calculus: speaking alongside the Greek ambassador, I offered to reconstruct the marbles held by the British Museum. The copies, carved from the same stone, would be virtually identical to the originals.
Should the British Museum retain the marbles?
The museum justifies its retention of the marbles on the ground that this allows visitors to see Phidias’s masterpiece in the context of global culture. High-quality reconstructions would serve that purpose just as well. Reconstructions would also acknowledge Britons’ special attachment to the marbles.
Does the British Museum have a claim on Greek art?
The British Museum has more than 100,000 priceless Greek artefacts in its possession although little more than six per cent of the collection is on display. Athens has said persistently that, circumstances of ownership aside, it has no claim on any item bar the sculptures.