2023 News

Greece's fight over Parthenon marbles sparks debate

"The collection is a unique resource to explore the richness, diversity and complexity of all human history, our shared humanity," the British Museum says on its website. "The strength of the collection is its breadth and depth which allows millions of visitors an understanding of the cultures of the world and how they interconnect – whether through trade, migration, conquest, conflict, or peaceful exchange." Quoted in ABC News' article: 'Who rightfully owns a country's artifacts? Greece's fight over Parthenon marbles sparks debate' by Kiara Alfonseca.

And yet, the British Museum doesn't need the Parthenon Marbles to do what it states above because they already have over 100,000 Greek artefacts. And as we all know the Parthenon is the crown of the Acropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Surely both the Acropolis and the Parthenon deserve our global respect. Reuniting the sculptures removed from the Parthenon in the Acropolis Museum would be for the benefit of all humanity, and as proof of "care" in this 21st century.

This would also encourage further cultural co-operation. The BM would not be loosing their marbles, but gaining artefacts yet to be seen outside of Greece, a generous offer made by Greece for the past two decades. 



 

 


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The case for keeping the Elgin Marbles, writes Nigel Biggar for the Telegraph

Nigel Biggar accuses those clamouring for restitution on misreading history. Sadly when he gets to writing about the Parthenon Marbles and their removal by Lord Elgin at the start of the 19th century when Greece was part of the Ottoman Empire, he too misreads history.

 "Elgin had secured from the highest official in Constantinople authorisation to take away “any pieces of stone with old inscriptions, and figures”. Writes Nigel Biggar

Any pieces? Where in the 'permission' does it say 'any'. And where is the permission?

If Nigel Biggar is referring to the Italian letter that the BM hold, then we would add the word used is qualche and qualche means some. Qualsiasi is any. Perhaps time to check that letter, which was not the official firman, as that was never found. 

"The letter…does not specifically grant authority to remove the superstructure of the temple, but rather to ‘carry away some pieces of stone with inscriptions and figures’ (presumably those lying around the Acropolis after the explosion of 1687). It seems clear that Elgin and his henchmen did exceed the authority granted him by the Turks who then occupied Greece, but no one at the time challenged their actions. The generous bribes to Turkish officials, quite customary throughout the Ottoman Empire, allowed Lord Elgin’s agents virtual carte blanche on the Acropolis." (‘The Parthenon Frieze’, p. 241, Jenifer Neils)

And as we also know, Elgin's men did not curtail their collecting to what might be lying on the ground, but they took to sawing off parts of the frieze, perhaps the best sculptued parts, to ship them to England destined to decorate Elgin ancestral home in Scotland. 

To read Nigel Biggar's article visit, the Telegraph. Nigel Biggar is a theologian, ethicist and author of 'Colonialism: A Moral Reckoning'.

More on the Italian letter, refered to as the firman, here too.


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Is Britain about to lose its marbles? asks Cahir O'Doherty

"In more recent years, the British Museum's continuing possession of the Parthenon Marbles marbles has come in for increasing scrutiny. Why do they think it is still appropriate for them to display outrageously looted plunder without pushback, critics rightly ask?" writes Cahir O'Doherty for Irish Central.

"Imagine the kind of airy entitlement that allows you to tell other nations off for daring to hold you to account for your ancestors' obvious misdeeds. Well, I'd like to speak to that issue first hand. After my first recent visit to the British Museum, some acts of piracy are so egregious they can't be ignored."

cahir

Cahir O'Doherty is Arts Editor, Features and Travel Writer for The Irish Voice, Irish America magazine and IrishCentral.com. He has reported on the culture, politics and heritage of Irish America for over a decade.

 


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What if that act of restitution was regarded not as a loss, but as a gain?

Charlotte Higgins, the Guardian’s chief culture writer

'Leaving aside the “thin end of the wedge” argument for a moment, consider this: what if that act of restitution was regarded not as a loss, but as a gain?' writes and questions Charlotte Higgins, chief culture writer for the Guardian. 

Charlotte also talks to Esme Ward, Director of the Manchester Museum. After a £15m renovation, the museum will re-open on the 18th of February with 'a physical and ethical renovation'. Esme Ward says she has been determined to broaden the definition of the idea of “care” that sits at the heart of the idea of curatorship. She believes that curatorship should go beyond the basic obligation of a museum to preserve artefacts; it should also care for its community.

And so, after long conversations and exchanges, in 2020, Manchester Museum returned 43 sacred objects to the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies.

Esme Ward speaks about this as a gain for the Manchester Museum. "Above all it is a gain in knowledge; the kind of haptic, experiential knowledge of place and use that can be absent from dry descriptions of artefacts in museum catalogues. The gain is also by way of a relationship with the Australian institution – one that may result in long-term cooperation, including possible loans to Manchester. And even considered in bald binary terms, her museum has “lost” only 43 collection items out of around 4,000 relating to Aboriginal communities."

And we also know that the British Museum has over 100,000 Greek artefacts with just over 6,000 on display. We also know that for the last two decades, Greece has been suggesting that should the reunification of the Parthenon Marbles be failitated, Greece would lend the BM artefacts not yet exhibited outside of Greece.

Charlotte Higgins also quotes the BM: “we operate within the law and we’re not going to dismantle the museum’s collection as it tells the story of our common humanity. We are however looking at longterm partnerships, which would enable some of our greatest objects to be shared with audiences around the world. Discussions with Greece about a Parthenon Partnership are ongoing and constructive.”

We would add that no one wishes to see the BM break the law but basic moral decency is needed in this particular case. The case for the reunification of the Parthenon Marbles has been a steadfast request, made by Greece nearly 2 centuries ago, post independence. This requst has never been for ALL Greek artefacts to be returned. It currently asks for a peerless collection of fragmented sculptures to be given a new 21st century chapter in the Acropolis Museum. An opportunity for all of hmanity to celebrate the reunification of these sculptures, as close as it is physically possible to the Parthenon, which still stands and crowns the Acropolis: a UNESCO World Heritage site.

We've been around this block so many times, we're dizzy, and this October, BCRPM celebrates 40 years of campaigning. It seems we'll be embracing more campaigning before the solution to this historical impasse amongst two nations that are friends, might be respectfully found.

To read Charlotte Higgins' Guardian article, follow the link here.  


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There’s a very important change in the UK in public opinion and individuals who have an opinion on the matter, from the entire political spectrum, who now openly argue in favour of the marbles’ reunification, recognising their uniqueness.

Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis

A trustee of the British Museum has confirmed the institution is in talks with the Greek government about the disposition of the Parthenon Marbles, but has told Al Jazeera that a deal may be elusive.

“There is certainly movement, but it is being overhyped,” said Mary Beard, professor of classics at Cambridge University and a trustee since 2020.

“I think something is really happening … There have been discussions between [board of trustees chair] George Osborne and [Greek premier] Kyriakos Mitsotakis,” she told Al Jazeera.

“There is real desire to do something. After 200 years, surely we can get somewhere better than where we are,” Beard said. “Is the problem going to be resolved? I’m not sure.”

Read the artucle aptly entitled: "Rumours of Parthenon Marbles’ return ‘overhyped’, experts say"

 

The British Museum claims Elgin “was granted a permit” to “draw, measure and remove figures”. But critics say he stretched that to remove far more than was intended.

“Among the bribes Elgin is known to have given is 100 pounds to the Kaimacam [district governor] in Constantinople to release the second shipment [of Marbles], and an amount to the Disdar [fortress commander] in Athens equal to 35 times his annual salary. Elgin documented all expenditures because he was financed by his in-laws,” said Elena Korka.

 An Economist survey in 2000 found that two-thirds of British MPs would vote for the Marbles’ return if a motion were tabled.

A Sunday Times survey in August 2022 found that 78 percent of Britons would return the Marbles, and a poll this month by the Evening Standard found a clear majority of 53 percent of Britons favouring their return – more than the majority that voted for Brexit.

“There’s a very important change in the UK in public opinion and individuals who have an opinion on the matter, from the entire political spectrum, who now openly argue in favour of the marbles’ reunification, recognising their uniqueness,” said Mitsotakis.

We would add that public opinion has always favoured the reunification, especially amongst those that were told the whole story about the Parthenon Marbles removal at the start of the 19th century, by Lord Elgin. What has changed is museums around the world entering into talks between on the matter of returns and restitution of artefacts to their countries of origin. Museums are listening to what their publics want to see, and are looking to the future. 


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Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni on Greece's position with regards to the reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures

Reaching an agreement for the permanent return of the Parthenon Sculptures from the British Museum to Greece  “is difficult, but not impossible,” said Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni in Parliament on Monday, 23 January 2023. Dr Mendoni reiterated the government’s stance that this specific cultural request “remains national, unanimous, consistent and clear.”

Greece does not recognize the British Museum's claim of ownership with regards to the Parthenon Scultptures currently exibited in Room 18, as they comprise a product of theft. Dr Mendoni added that “the government has been working from the start systematically, responsibly, and effectively to achieve the national goal – the return and reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures to the Acropolis Museum in Athens.”

ANA-MPA news


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"I’m sorry, dear Greeks, but the 'Elgin' Marbles simply must stay here", Emily Sheffield

When Emily Sheffield wrote: "I’m sorry, dear Greeks, but the Elgin Marbles simply must stay here." There was an outcry, not just by readers of the Evening Standard but those that were trying to understand how such a statement was meant to show empathy towards a global community that has supported the reunification for decades.

We're guessing that the ES, as the London paper, is quite happy for the Parthenon Marbles to remain divided as it might suit Londoners to pop into Room 18 to have a look at this peerless collection of sculptures. That they are referered to as 'Elgin Marbles' is an afront given the history. But then Emily Sheffield has also been quick to criticise MP Elizabeth Truss for wanting to rewrite history, when the BM has being doing so for some time.

If London visitors don't appreciate that what is exhibited in Room 18, isn't the whole collection, nor that there is another half in the Acropolis Museum, that's just geography. The fact that Lord Elgin removed these sculptures, or rather he paid men with metal saws and crowbars to remove the best ones at a time when Greece had no voice, well that's just a tragic part of history. A part of history museum visitors have to come to terms with too. Well, at least according to Emily Sheffield and the British Museum.

Read Emily Sheffield's article here.

BCRPM's tweet thread on reading the article below, on 21 January 2023.

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Pictured above Victoria Hislop in Room 18 on the 13th anniversary of the Acropolis Museum, June 2022. Protest led by BCRPM and supporters.

 

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the Acropolis Museum's 9th anniversary, annual protest at the BM, this was led by R.E.T.U.R.N

 

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Fact: in reuniting these sculptures with their other surviving halves in the Acropolis Museum, the British Museum can still continue to showcase all of the world's cultures under one roof. The sky isn't going to fall in.

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typo in above tweet , *nation* ought to be without an 's', apologies. The image quote for legibility below: 

parthenon quote


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