Many BCRPM knew and respected Labis Tsirigotakis. For four decades Labis' incisive journalism made its mark on the campaign to reunite the Parthenon Marbles.

"It was such a privilege to be standing behind him when in 2018 he interviewed the late Ian Jenkins, the then Senior Curator, Ancient Greece at the British Museum. The interview had been set up for the start of the Rodin exhibition (26 April to 29 July 2018). Labis and cameraman were met by a member of the British Museum's press team and immediately taken to the far end of the Sainsbury Exhibitions Gallery to see 'natural light' coming into this space. And yet for the Parthenon Marbles also exhibited alongside Rodin's own sculptures, lamentably the light was not comparable to the light of Attica," remembers Marlen Godwin. 

Over four decades, Labis had interviewed all five of BCRPM's Chairs alongside founder and Hon Secretary, the late Eleni Cubitt.

Dame Janet Suzman spoke with Labis in October 2016 reminding ERT viewers of when she first met with Melina Mercouri in London and how Eleni had invited Janet to support the campaign in the 80's.  

In June 2023, Labis brought a copy of his book, an autobiography aptly entitled: "Life Memories – From John Lennon to Nelson Mandela” and presented to BCRPM. The book is in BCRPM's library and will remain treasured.

Ekathimerini's article, 'Veteran Greek journalist Labis Tsirigotakis'', lists Labis' many achievements including the fact that he produced around 30 documentaries on Greek and international topics for ERT, several of which received awards in Greece and abroad. He was also honoured with the Botsis Foundation Award for objective journalism.

Our thoughts are with Sophia his wife, family and friends, at this very sad time.

The Parthenon Sculptures will be returned to Greece, Nikolaos Stampolidis, the general director of the Acropolis Museum, told the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation, ERT.

For many campaigners including BCRPM, the role of the Acropolis Museum in the reunification of the Parthenon Marbles has been pivotal since the days when founder Eleni Cubitt was invited to look over the architects proposals for a new Acropolis Museum. It was just short of two decades that BCRPM organised an event for Professor Pandermalis, the then Director of the new Acropolis Museum to present the winning scheme. The London venue for that event was just a stone's throw away from the British Museum.

Professor Stampolidis in his ERT interview pointed to the UNESCO decision regarding the reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures in September 2021 as a crucial turning point, describing it as “the most significant…in recent years.”

BCRPM acknowledges that since 2009 and the opening of the Acropolis Museum, the case for reunification has strengthened annually.

"Stampolidis also noted that the unprecedented success of the Acropolis Museum in attracting visitors and hosting major exhibitions has cemented its role as a world-class institution capable of housing and showcasing the reunited Parthenon sculptures.

The museum’s visitor numbers have surged from 1.5 million in 2022 to 1.95 million in 2023, demonstrating its growing international appeal and position among Europe’s most iconic museums." Writes Nick Kampouris, for the Greek Reporter on Monday 28 October 2024.

That the argument for reunification extends beyond national boundaries has been emphasised and explored in media outlets throughout the world. Stampolidis stressed that “the reunification is not just a Greek request; it’s a global demand.” There is no doubt also that ethical arguments continue to garner support of Greece’s case against the British Museum's stance.

Stampolidis also pointed out that international law does not support the retention of illegally acquired artefacts regardless of the time that has passed since their removal. While acknowledging the political nature of the issue and its intricate implications on domestic British politics, Stampolidis, rightly remains confident.

“I deeply believe within two to three years there will finally be a successful outcome for returning the Parthenon sculptures to Greece,” he stated. This optimism is partly based on growing international support, including unexpected backing from countries such as Turkey.