Former Swedish ambassador calls for return of Parthenon Marbles

The former Swedish ambassador to Greece Krister Kumlin, called for the return of the Parthenon sculptures during an event held at the the National Theatre of the Swedish capital.

The event, called 'Ett levande Parthenon' (A living Parthenon) was organised by the Swedish Committee for the Return of Parthenon Marbles Svenska Parthenonkommitten, in cooperation with the National Theatre of Stockholm (Dramaten) and the Embassy of Greece to Sweden.

Kumlin who is the president of the Swedish Committee for the return of Parthenon Marbles said that it was a moral issue and essential that all the parts of the Parthenon Marbles be housed in the Acropolis Museum, which is the most appropriate place for them to be displayed, instead of the British Museum, because as he said, "they yearn for the sun of Attica".

During the event, Kumlin read a speech by the Greek Culture Minister Lydia Koniordou where she said the specific initiative was very important and stated that "the reunification of the Parthenon Marbles constitutes the main strategy of the Greek government and culture ministry. Our position that a solution must be found through diplomacy and dialogue with the British government and the British Museum in the framework of the international organisations, such as Unesco, is stable."