Parthenon Marbles

Boris Johnson during a visit to the Acropolis in 2012 – The Guardian

In his interview with Greek daily Ta Nea on March 12, the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson claimed that:
“the UK government has a firm longstanding position on the sculptures which is that they were legally acquired by Lord Elgin under the appropriate laws of the time and have been legally owned by the British Museum’s Trustees since their acquisition.”
[in the photo, Boris Johnson poses especially for “TA NEA” leaning on the bust of Pericles which adorns his office in the House of Commons.]

However, a quick response on the same day, the Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni firmly challenged PM Boris Johnson’s statement. Mendoni said in an open letter:

“Upon careful review of the statements made by UK Prime Minister Mr Boris Johnson, it is clear that he has not been properly informed by the competent state services of his country of the new historical data regarding Greece’s occupation by the Ottomans that show that there was never a legitimate acquisition of the Parthenon sculptures by Lord Elgin and, therefore, neither has the British Museum ever acquired the Sculptures in a legitimate manner.

The Ministry of Culture and Sports can provide the necessary documentary evidence that can inform the British people how the British Museum possesses the sculptures illegally. For Greece, the British Museum does not have legitimate ownership or possession of the sculptures.”

Give Them Back!

George Clooney with his wife Amal Alamuddin are again in the forefront discussing the fate of the Parthenon Marbles in a recent interview with the British Sunday paper Observer.

Clooney with his renewed intervention advocates the return of the Parthenon sculptures, and urges Britain and the British Museum to allow their permanent reunion in their birthplace, The Parthenon.

According to “The New Weekend,” the Hollywood star recently stressed in a message to actress Janet Suzman, Chair of the UK Commission for the Reunification of Parthenon Sculptures, that marbles belong to Greece and should be returned there. “There are indeed many objects of historical value that must be returned to their original owners. However, none of them is as important as the Marbles of the Parthenon.”

Several years ago, George Clooney, Bill Murray and Matt Damon had implied that Britain, too, needed to have a long, hard, look at itself.