FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 3, 2017 – Update: The Verdict

Who Owns Antiquity?

The National Hellenic Museum Brings Famed Attorneys to Face Off on March 16 at The Art Institute CHICAGO, IL – On March 16, 2017, the public will decide one of the most highly anticipated international cases, The Trial of the Parthenon Marbles. Following the extraordinary success of The Trials of Socrates, Orestes, and Antigone, The National Hellenic Museum will conduct this latest Trial at the Rubloff Auditorium and The Art Institute. There, in a court filled with nationally renowned judges and attorneys, The Trial of the Parthenon Marbles will decide whether these classical Greek marble sculptures should return to Greece or remain in the British Museum.

The Parthenon Marbles, also known as the Elgin Marbles, originally formed much of the exterior decoration of the Parthenon. In the early 1800s, the Ottoman governor of Greece allegedly permitted Lord Elgin to ship them to England. They have been on display at the British Museum for nearly 200 years. Since obtaining independence from the Ottoman Empire, Greece has pressed the United Kingdom for the Marbles’ return, a request that has been refused on the grounds that ownership was properly acquired.

Presiding over the proceedings will be Judges Richard A. Posner and William J. Bauer from the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne M. Burke, US District Judge Charles P. Kocoras and Cook County Circuit Judge Anna H. Demacopoulos.

Greece, looking to regain control of the Parthenon Marbles, will be represented by Daniel K. Webb and Robert A. Clifford, who are expected to argue in court that Lord Elgin obtained the Parthenon Marbles without proper permission and thus lacked title. Supporting their efforts will be Sam Adam, Jr., who will present an expert witness on behalf of Greece. Mr. Adam will also cross examine the British expert.

The British will take issue with the Greek argument. Representing the United Kingdom and the British Museum, Patrick M. Collins and Patrick J. Fitzgerald, are expected to argue not only the validity of Lord Elgin’s possession of the Marbles, but the equity of British Museum’s continued ownership insofar is it came into possession of the Marbles in good faith. Tinos Diamantatos will present an expert witness on behalf of the British side and will cross examine the Greek expert.

Cast your vote for whether the Marbles should return or remain at The Trial of the Parthenon Marbles on March 16 at The Art Institute – Rubloff Auditorium, 230 S Columbus Dr., Chicago, IL 60603. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and the trial begins at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets are $100 per person and are available for purchase at https://www.nationalhellenicmuseum.org/the-trial, contact Francesca Peppiatt at (312) 655-1234, ext. 21, or purchase in person at the National Hellenic Museum’s gift shop.

Judges:

  • The Honorable William J. Bauer, Judge for the Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit
  • The Honorable Richard A. Posner, Judge for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit
  • The Honorable Anna H. Demacopoulos, Circuit Court of Cook County
  • The Honorable Anne M. Burke, Illinois Supreme Court.
  • The Honorable Charles P. Kocoras, U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois

Attorneys:

  • Robert A. Clifford, Founder & Senior Partner, of Clifford Law Offices and past president of the Chicago Bar Association
  • Patrick M. Collins, Partner, Perkins Coie, former First Assistant U. S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois
  • Patrick J. Fitzgerald, Litigation Partner, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, former U. S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois
  • Dan K. Webb, Chairman, Winston & Strawn, former U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois
  • Sam Adam Jr., founder Sam Adam Junior Law Group
  • Tinos Diamantatos, partner, Morgan Lewis

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The National Hellenic Museum (NHM) portrays and celebrates Greek heritage and the Hellenic legacy. With a rich depository of over 20,000 artifacts, the Museum highlights the contributions of Greeks and Greek-Americans to the American mosaic and inspires curiosity about visitors’ own family journeys though cultural expression, oral history and experiential education. Located in Chicago’s Greektown, the Museum provides lifelong learning for the whole community through classes, exhibitions and programs that spark inquiry and discussion about the broader issues in our lives.

For more information, visit https://wwws.nationalhellenicmuseum.org

  • Media Contact: Marina Christos Marketing & Community Outreach Coordinator
  • National Hellenic Museum:
    • 333 South Halsted Street Chicago, IL 60661
    • Office: 312.655.1234 ext. 27
  • Email: mchristos@hellenicmuseum.org

Source NHM: See full Press Release PDF