December 18, 2007
British Museum snubs Greek calls for return of Elgin Marbles
Following renewed calls by the Greek Prime Minister for the Elgin Marbles to be returned to Greece, the British Museum has responded predictably, stating that its position on the issue remains unchanged.
From:
Agence France Presse
British museum snubs new Greek call for Elgin Marbles
18 hours ago
LONDON (AFP)The British Museum snubbed a new call for the return of the so-called Elgin Marbles to Athens Monday, saying its position over the disputed artefacts remains unchanged.
A spokeswoman praised the construction of a new Acropolis Museum, but rebuffed a call by the Greek prime minister that conditions are “ripe” for Britain to return the marbles.
“The Acropolis museum, although it’s a great achievement…doesn’t change the (London) museum’s position, because for us it’s never been about the display of the sculptures in Athens,” British Museum spokeswoman Hannah Boulton told AFP.“The whole purpose, the fundamental purpose of the (British Museum is) to present all world cultures, to enable all those who come here or see the collections on loan around the world to experience and compare the civilisations.
“Therefore the trustees cannot return any object in that world collection,” she added.
The transfer of exhibits from the old Athens museum near the Parthenon to a new facility below the Acropolis is on course for completion at the end of January, with a room on the top floor reserved for the emotive artefacts.
Begun in 2003 and scheduled for public opening in 12 months’ time, the new building marks the centrepiece of a Greek campaign going back to 1982 to have the London government return the ancient materials.
Greek premier Costas Caramanlis, speaking during a visit to the Acropolis Museum site earlier in the day, said it was time for the marbles’ return.
“The conditions are now ripe, the demand for the return of the Parthenon Marbles to their rightful home (…) can and must become a reality for this generation.”
The British Museum in London, where they are on display, has always refused to repatriate the priceless friezes, ‘stolen’ in 1806 by Lord Elgin, British ambassador to the occupying Ottoman Empire of the time.
A committee representing 15 nations, the International Organisation for the Reunification of the Parthenon Marbles, was established in November 2005 with members stepping up pressure on Britain to comply with the Greek request.
- Early preview of New Acropolis Museum : December 18, 2007
- Greece calls for return of disputed Parthenon Marbles from Britain : December 17, 2007
- British Museum officials to attend New Acropolis Museum opening : June 15, 2009
- Australia Prime Minister asked for support in recovering Elgin Marbles : May 24, 2007
- David Cameron is asked about the return of the Parthenon Marbles : June 23, 2011
- Greece re-iterates the limits of their claims on the Elgin Marbles : December 13, 2002
- New opinion poll shows increase in support for return of Parthenon Marbles : October 15, 2002
- Greek Prime Minister draw parallels between Agora artefact return & Parthenon Marbles : May 8, 2007
kelly said,
09.13.08 at 9:13 am
hi
im doing this project at school about the elgin marbles. i need some help and info about who took them and sew on. i think that the elgin marbles should be sent back to greece. please help me.
Matthew said,
09.14.08 at 8:47 am
If you look on this site, all the information you require should already be here.
Stavroula said,
11.13.08 at 4:20 pm
The Elgin Marbles should be sent back to where they came from.To their home.To the people whose ancestors created them.The Elgin Marbles are our herritance,and we,the greeks,hae every legal right to ask them back.You are the ones who had n right to steal them.