Stephen Fry has compared the removal of the Parthenon Marbles to Nazi Germany stealing the Arc de Triomphe, urging the British Museum to return the ancient sculptures to Greece.
Speaking on the Australian TV series "Stuff the British Stole," Fry argued that the British Museum's retention of the marbles is analogous to an occupying force claiming foreign cultural treasures.
Fry dismissed historical documents that purportedly justified the removal by Lord Elgin in 1802, equating it to a hypothetical Nazi claim to the Arc de Triomphe. He emphasized that the Parthenon Marbles hold immense cultural significance for Athens, suggesting that returning them would be a "classy" move for Britain.
The actor and comedian has long campaigned for the marbles' return, previously likening their removal to taking the Eiffel Tower from Paris or Stonehenge from Salisbury. He believes that returning the marbles would enhance Britain's international reputation and align museums with contemporary values of cultural restitution.
The marbles, taken from the Acropolis during the Turkish occupation, have been housed in the British Museum since 1832. The legality of their removal has been contested, with Turkey recently rejecting claims that Ottoman authorities had granted permission for their removal. The British Museum has maintained that the sculptures were not stolen and represent an important part of world history.
Fry acknowledged that the marbles might have suffered more damage had they not been taken to London, but he insists that their return is essential due to their cultural and sacred significance to the Greek people. He hopes that the British Museum will lead by example in promoting cultural understanding and respect.
Watch a video of Stephen Fry arguing for the return of the Marbles, here:
Read more: Parthenon Marbles Repatriation
(Source: The Guardian)
