ReutersPart of the Parthenon sculptures in the British Museum
NOS Nieuws•vandaag, 02:49
A diplomatic row has arisen between Greece and the United Kingdom. The reason: the world-famous Parthenon sculptures, also known as the ‘Elgin Marbles’. Due to statements made by the Greek Prime Minister to the BBC, British Prime Minister Sunak canceled a planned meeting today with his Greek counterpart at the last minute, reports the British broadcaster.
The cancellation happened a day after Mitsotakis told the BBC that the artworks must be returned to Greece. Some of the 2,500-year-old sculptures are on display in the British Museum in London and some are in Athens.
Mitsotakis compares that division to “cutting the Mona Lisa in half.” A Conservative source told the BBC that it became “impossible for the meeting to go ahead after Mitsotakis’ statements”. “Our position is clear. The Elgin Marbles are part of the permanent collection of the British Museum and therefore belong there.”
A spokesman for Mitsotakis said the Greek prime minister was “disappointed that Prime Minister Sunak canceled the meeting at the last minute.” “Greece and Britain have a very long history of friendship and cooperation. The Greek government is extremely surprised by this decision,” the spokesperson said.
Alternative with deputy prime minister refused
The planned meeting would last about 45 minutes. It would discuss “the conflict between Israel and Gaza, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, climate change, migration and of course the sculptures,” the spokesperson said.
As an alternative to the meeting with Sunak, the Greek Prime Minister was offered a meeting with the British Deputy Prime Minister. Mitsotakis refused, he will fly back to Greece later today.
The two countries have been unable to agree on art treasures for some time now. The sculptures once stood on the Parthenon in Athens, but at the beginning of the nineteenth century they were shipped to London. This was done by the British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, Thomas Bruce, the Earl of Elgin.
Looted art
The British government purchased the works in 1816 and they were subsequently placed in the British Museum. The sculptures are seen as one of the best-known looted works of art that are calling for their return to their country of origin.
The sculptures in Athens are displayed in the Parthenon Gallery in the Acropolis Museum. That gallery was built specifically for the images ten years ago. Next to the original marble sculptures are plaster copies of the pieces in the British Museum and other museums abroad.
The British Museum has previously said it is looking “for some sort of arrangement to temporarily display some of the sculptures in Greece”. But to reach such agreements, “objects would have to come here from Greece.” According to the BBC, it will certainly take months before such a decision is made.
2023-11-28 01:49:52
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