Filenews 21 November 2021
To seize the unique opportunity that presents itself, so that this generation will finally be the one that will reunite the Parthenon Sculptures, invites the British Prime Minister - with today's article in the Mail On Sunday - Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Mr. Mitsotakis develops the arguments of the Greek side for the return of this important part of the country's history, pointing out, among other things, that the Acropolis Museum "is the right place, the best spot and the only place where one can appreciate the cultural and historical significance of the sculptures where they belong".
The big question after Glasgow
Stressing that this year is the 200th anniversary of the beginning of the revolution for independence from the Ottoman Empire - a war in which Britain stood by Greece in the fight for freedom - the Greek Prime Minister addresses his British counterpart saying:
"What could be more important proof of Prime Minister Johnson's vision of a new, confident, open and truly 'Ecumenical Britain' (Global Britain) than for his government to take the brave step forward and, together with the British Museum, return the Parthenon Sculptures?"
Indeed, in such a case - as he says - "Greece is ready to consider, for its part, to allow the British museum to exhibit some of the most emblematic creations in the world, works of art that have never been found outside Greece".
In detail the article of K. Mitsotakis
"Very few former British Prime Ministers studied Classics at university. Even fewer have spoken so emphatically about the influence of Ancient Greece in shaping their political thought. No one, I suppose, has called an Athenian politician of the 5th century BC one of his heroes.
And then came Boris Johnson, always following his own path. The current Prime Minister of Britain has done all three: He studied Classics at Oxford. He has a deep understanding of the contribution of classical culture to the modern world. He also has a bust of Pericles, who is one of his heroes.
Boris Johnson understands to a greater extent than most the unique bond that connects modern times with ancient history.
That is why, when I met him last week on Downing Street, he told me that he understood how strong the feelings of the Greek people are regarding one of the few dividing lines between Greece and the United Kingdom: that is the Parthenon Sculptures.
The sculptures were created by the Greek sculptor Phidias and have the form of a frieze that originally adorned the great temple. Most of the frieze survives today and remains in Athens. The section illegally removed by Lord Elgin remains, however, blocked inside the British Museum, almost 2,500 kilometres away from its true home and cut off from both the city and the world monument to which it undeniably belongs.
One only has to tour for a few minutes the beautiful hall with the transparent glass façade, on the third floor of the Acropolis Museum in Athens, and it is not difficult to understand what I mean.
The museum is located just a few hundred meters south of the Parthenon itself and for most of the sculptures it is their home. It is the only place in the world where one can admire the sculptures in a space that connects them with the monument, as it stands in front of 2,500 years of history and faces the panoramic view of the temple.
It is the right place, the best spot and the only place where one can appreciate the cultural and historical significance of the sculptures where they belong.
It is precisely the grace of this symmetry that makes the separation of the sculptures found in London from the main collection in Athens such a large void. A vacuum that is impossible to ignore.
Their importance is universal and without the missing sculptures, one cannot admire in their entirety the frieze and the Parthenon itself.
Instead of sculptures, plaster casts are found in the places that belong to the original works – or, in some cases, the showcases are empty. A sad proof that a part of this priceless piece of world cultural heritage is missing.
This year is the 200th anniversary of the start of the revolution for independence from the Ottoman Empire, a war in which Britain stood by Greece in the struggle for freedom.
What could be more important proof of Prime Minister Johnson's vision of a new, self-confident, open and truly 'Global Britain' than for his government to take the brave step forward and, together with the British Museum, return the Parthenon Sculptures?
In such a case, Greece is ready to consider, for its part, to allow the British museum to exhibit some of the most emblematic creations in the world, works of art that have never been found outside Greece.
After all, museums and galleries are increasingly coming back, sharing, lending and collaborating."
