Prominent British anthropologist and TV presenter Professor Alice Roberts has voiced her support for the return of the Parthenon Sculptures to Greece. Speaking while filming her new documentary Ancient Greece by Train, Roberts echoed Greek Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni’s call for repatriation, stating that the sculptures belong back in Athens. She emphasised the need to acknowledge historical injustices linked to colonial-era acquisitions, comparing the situation to how Britain might feel if pieces of Stonehenge were held abroad. The long-standing dispute over the Parthenon sculptures remains unresolved, though recent discussions signal progress.
Tag: Museum Ethics
Momentum builds for the reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures as the Greek PM prepares for talks with the UK PM in December. While the British Museum remains cautious on the issue of ownership, a new proposal suggests long-term loans as a pathway to returning the sculptures to Athens, even without resolving the legal complexities. This potential solution, championed by Guggenheim President Mariet Westermann, highlights a shift towards collaborative museum practices in the 21st century.
Stephen Fry has compared the removal of the Parthenon Marbles from Greece to Nazi Germany seizing the Arc de Triomphe. In an interview on the Australian TV series “Stuff the British Stole,” Fry argued for the British Museum to return the ancient sculptures to Greece, emphasizing that it would be a “classy” and meaningful gesture. He highlighted the deep cultural significance of the marbles to Athens and criticized historical justifications for their retention in London.
The British Museum is embroiled in secret talks with four countries about returning artifacts from their collection. This news comes after reports of a potential loan deal for the Parthenon Marbles, a move that could reignite the repatriation debate.