Culture Minister Lina Mendoni on Friday characterised the incident concerning the loss, damage and theft of exhibits from the British Museum's collections as "extremely sad and very serious"."
"It is very sad and very serious the incident that the British Museum announced recently. The Culture Ministry is closely monitoring the developments," Mendoni said.
In the wake of the theft of several artefacts from the British Museum, concerns are emerging about the missing items and the overall safety of disputed treasures like the Parthenon Marbles held at the institution. A renowned expert in recovering stolen artworks has highlighted the potential vulnerabilities within the museum's security protocols.
The British Museum recently took action against a dismissed staff member and initiated an independent security review after discovering missing, stolen, or damaged items from its collection earlier this year. This incident prompts introspection into the effectiveness of the museum's security measures, including the safety of high-profile pieces like the Parthenon Marbles.
Christopher Marinello, an authority on recovering looted and missing artworks, raised whether the Parthenon Marbles are genuinely secure within the British Museum. He suggested that perhaps they should be returned to the museum in Athens for enhanced protection. This viewpoint challenges the notion that the British Museum is the optimal guardian of such treasures.
The debate around the Parthenon Sculptures' repatriation to Greece is ongoing, with the country asserting its claim to the sculptures that once adorned the Parthenon in Athens. The recent theft adds a new layer to this dialogue, prompting discussions about the adequacy of security measures and the responsibility of institutions safeguarding invaluable cultural heritage.
Marinello emphasized the necessity for comprehensive security measures beyond mere camera surveillance, urging thorough employee vetting as part of preventive strategies. He questioned why an institution with substantial funding, like the British Museum, encountered theft issues.
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