September 11, 2009
Sofka Smales to protest in Trafalgar Square for return of Parthenon Sculptures
More coverage of the plans by a nineteen year old student to use her time on the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square as a protest in favour of the reunification of the Elgin Marbles.
From:
Todmorden News
Sofka takes a stand: Time on London plinth will promote cause close to her heart
Published Date: 11 September 2009THE fourth plinth beckons for a student from Todmorden who will promote a cause close to her heart.
When 19-year-old Sofka Smales, from Todmorden, heard she had won a place on the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square, she decided to seize the opportunity to say “Send the Elgin Marbles home”.
“I feel really passionate about this,” explained Sofka, a student of Criticism, Communication and Curation at London’s Central St Martins College.“My mother is half Greek and I lived in Greece for part of my childhood and I return whenever I can. I am really proud of that part of my heritage and have always felt that the marbles should rightly be returned to their country of origin. Especially now that a first class museum has been built at the Parthenon to house them.”
Sofka will be taking her place on the plinth in Trafalgar Square as part of Antony Gormley’s One and Other public art project but she’s not revealing what she will be doing on the plinth.
“That’s a secret, wait and see,” she said.
“But I’ve been really lucky and got a prime slot 11pm till midnight on Saturday, September 12. I hope lots of people will come out to support me and many more will go online to watch. It’s time to send the marbles home.”
- Elgin Marbles protest from the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square : September 9, 2009
- An hour in Trafalgar Square for the Parthenon Marbles : September 15, 2009
- Palmyra triumphal arch replica erected in London’s Trafalgar square : May 20, 2016
- Protest outside British Museum this Saturday with Cypriot Students Union : October 18, 2012
- Greek students campaign for Elgin Marbles to be returned : May 21, 2004
- Greek schoolchildren stage protest outside British Museum : May 6, 2009
- Losing Marbles – Or what could happen on the return journey of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece : December 10, 2009
- New Acropolis Museum opening date set : February 21, 2008