In a video posted by the Greek Embassy in UK, British veteran Stephen Fry congratulated Greece for the 200th anniversary of its War of Independence against Ottoman rule and urged the UK to return the Parthenon Marbles.
“It is a much much longer period that we have to thank you for, because you were there at the birth of our civilisation and you planted the seeds that we have reaped throughout our civilisation," he said.
"Greece is an idea as well as a modern Republic. And so when we look back at the 200 years in which you established your freedom and independence, through a few problems here and a few problems there, we celebrate the strength and vigour of the Greek people, the descendants of the great heroes," Fry continued.
Concluding the video, the British comedian repeated his call for Britain to return the Parthenon Marbles. “I shall do my very best over the rest of my life to see if we can, in Britain, return what is yours in the shape of the Marbles of the Parthenon. That would be a great and classy act on the part of my nation that I am urging them to do. It’s probably too late for your birthday as such, but I will keep trying and so will those of us who love Greece will.”
Stephen Fry congratulates Greece on 200 years of nationhood, speaks about the importance of Greek civilisation and his love for Lord Byron and once again urges the UK to return the Parthenon Marbles. “It is a much much longer period that we have to thank you for, because you were there at the birth of our civilisation and you planted the seeds that we have reaped throughout our civilisation.""My great hero, lord Byron, died in the cause of Greek freedom and he inspired me as a boy because I loved his poetry." 'The isles of Greece! the isles of Greece Where burning Sappho loved and sung'"Greece is an idea as well as a modern Republic. And so when we look back to the 200 years in which you established your freedom and independence, through a few problems here and a few problems there, we celebrate the strength and vigour of the Greek people, the descendants of the great heroes.” Speaking about Greece's sovereign debt problems a few years ago, Fry says: "Greece will never owe the world as much as the world owes Greece.”Finally, he repeats his urge to the UK to return the Parthenon Marbles. “I shall do my very best over the rest of my life to see if we can, in Britain, return what is yours in the shape of the Marbles of the Parthenon. That would be a great and classy act on the part of my nation that I am urging them to do. It’s probably too late for your birthday as such, but I will keep trying and so will those of us who love Greece.” "Ζήτω η Ελλάδα! Long Live Greece! Ελευθερία! Freedom!" #Greece2021
Posted by Greek Embassy in UK on Friday, March 26, 2021
Britain, let’s stand on the right side of history and return the Parthenon Sculptures to their home in Athens. Please sign the @ReuniteMarbles petition to give power to the Trustees of the British Museum to consider their reunification #LostMyMarbles
https://t.co/hTXF2XBKN8 pic.twitter.com/R813nfCUxZ— Stephen Fry (@stephenfry) November 3, 2020
Honorary Greek citizen, popular British author Victoria Hislop, also videoed a message on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the Greek Revolution.
“I am very proud to call myself a philhellene, part of a very long tradition of foreigners with a deep love and admiration for Greece. I am also more than proud to count myself as an honorary citizen of Greece. Sometimes I feel doubly Greek.”
Watch a message by acclaimed British author Victoria Hislop on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the Greek Revolution. “I am very proud to call myself a philhellene, part of a very long tradition of foreigners with a deep love and admiration for Greece. I am also more than proud to count myself as an honorary citizen of Greece. Sometimes I feel doubly Greek.” #Greece2021
Posted by Greek Embassy in UK on Friday, March 26, 2021
Δοξολογία για την Επέτειο της 25ης Μαρτίου 1821 τελέσθηκε σήμερα Κυριακή 28/3 στον Ιερό Ναό Αγίας Σοφίας στο Λονδίνο...
Posted by Greek Embassy in UK on Sunday, March 28, 2021
*More on GCT: The most powerful reason for Britain to return the Parthenon Sculptures
