This morning, I had the privilege of speaking on Greek TV and radio about the latest progress in the discussions on the reunification of the Parthenon Marbles.

As a member of the British Committee for the Reunification of Parthenon Marbles, I highlighted the pivotal role of UNESCO’s ICPRCP, whose work over the past decade has garnered global support and influenced key decisions. It is on this international platform that both the British Museum and the UK government faced strong criticism for the time it has taken to begin bilateral discussions with Greece.

This year at UNESCO ICPRCP's 24th session in Paris, it was Zeynep Boz, the delegate from Türkiye, head of the Turkish Culture Ministry’s department for combating trafficking in antiquities that declared there was no firman, no permission granted to Lord Elgin to allow the removal of the sculptures from the Parthenon.   

The return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece feels closer than ever! According to a recent article in The Economist, 2025 could mark significant progress in the ongoing talks between Greece and the UK.

On 15 June, BCRPM's Chair Janet Suzman with members Victoria Hislop and George Gabriel plus supporters gathered in the BM's Room 18 to mark the Acropolis Museum's 15th anniversary. They also delivered a letter to Director of the British Museum, Nicholas Cullinan and shortly afterwards Nicholas Cullinan responded to Janet Suzman, BCRPM's Chair saying that “creating a new relationship with Greece regarding the Marbles will be a clear priority.”

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, last November also said that if a mutually acceptable agreement is reached between the UK and Greece, the British government “will not stand in the way.”

Avgoustinos Galiassos on Greek TV and radio 

BCRPM marking the 13th, 14th and 15th anniversary of the Acropolis Museum in the British Museum

Geraldine Kendall Adams wrote on 16 May, in the Museums Journal that British Museum Director, Nicholas Cullinan has ruled out restitution as he outlines plans to foster collaboration. 

In an interview with The Times, Nicholas Cullinan said he had no plans to change the museum’s policy against permanently deaccessioning artefacts, which would require an act of parliament.

“I could make lobbying to get the act changed my sole focus but that seems mad, and it may not be the right thing,” he told the newspaper.

“I’m keenly aware that whatever I do future generations will debate, so I feel more comfortable with loaning items. This collection has been formed over three centuries. It is the world’s greatest collection. I don’t see my job as undoing that.”

Cullinan, who has been in the role for just over a year, said the museum had built strong partnerships around the world, and saw its future in “collaboration”.

He said: “The British Museum is about connecting countries rather than putting up barriers. This is a global museum for everyone and we’re not going to be embarrassed about that any more. We are going to foster collaboration around the world.”

Referencing the museum’s most famous and long-running restitution dispute, the Parthenon marbles, he described the sculptures as “talismanic objects of the British Museum” and said that, while the museum doesn’t shy away from the fact that they are in dispute, “we need to be balanced rather than inflammatory”.

Cullinan gave his backing to the proposed plan for the museum to form a lending arrangement with Greece, which is still under negotiation, saying it would be a partnership that would “build in trust and depth”.

“Plans are taking shape,” he said. “We’d love an innovative partnership with Greece where we would lend things and they would lend things back, and we can share knowledge and opportunity rather than debate ownership.”

Cullinan's comments on the Parthenon sculptures have been criticised by the British Committee for the Reunification of the Parthenon Marbles.

In a letter responding to the remarks, which was published in part by The Times, the committee's members wrote that it had been “dismaying to read the implications of the director's description of the sculptures as 'talismanic objects of this museum'”, saying “a talisman is something that brings good luck. How can stolen goods bring good fortune to any institution?”

The letter added: “Simply in terms of diplomacy, we believe it would be a tragic error to position these disputed sculptures at the centre of the 'reimagining' of the museum. This reimagining should surely be excited rather by the prospect of showing off wonderful objects never seen before in the UK, promised by Greece once returned.

“Greece is one of our strongest allies and it is surely not the time to insult that friendship. We hope that talks vis a vis some mutually constructive arrangement continue and will have a positive outcome for both countries.”