Greek leader, in London, seeks return of ancient sculptures
3 years, 1 month ago

Greek leader, in London, seeks return of ancient sculptures

Associated Press  

LONDON — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson held talks Tuesday in London with Greece’s leader amid a renewed push by Athens for the British Museum to return marble statues that once stood in the Parthenon. Johnson said he “understood the strength of feeling of the Greek people” about the sculptures after Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis raised the issue during the talks. Mitsotakis told Britain’s Daily Telegraph newspaper last week that “the marbles were stolen in the 19th century, they belong in the Acropolis Museum and we need to discuss this issue in earnest.” Earlier Tuesday, Johnson’s spokesman stressed that the British Museum operates independently of the government and is free from political interference. The British Museum said on its website that Elgin’s actions were “thoroughly investigated by a Parliamentary Select Committee in 1816 and found to be entirely legal, prior to the sculptures entering the collection of the British Museum by Act of Parliament.” The museum’s trustees added they “firmly believe that there’s a positive advantage and public benefit in having the sculptures divided between two great museums, each telling a complementary but different story.”

London British Museum Greece Johnson Greek Sculptures  marbles  issue  talks  london  leader  acropolis  seeks  trustees  museum  british  ancient  museums  greek  return  sculptures

History of this topic

Greeks still skeptical Britain will return Parthenon Marbles
2 weeks, 5 days ago

Greeks still skeptical Britain will return Parthenon Marbles

Raw Story  

"Positive" talks between Greece and the British Museum over the Parthenon Marbles have rekindled hope that the ancient friezes could be on their way back to Athens after more than two centuries. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosted his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Downing Street on Tuesday just as the British Museum confirmed it had been holding "constructive" negotiations …

George Osborne boasts of ‘progress’ in his bid to return the Elgin Marbles to Greece but says a deal is 'still some distance' off
2 weeks, 6 days ago

George Osborne boasts of ‘progress’ in his bid to return the Elgin Marbles to Greece but says a deal is 'still some distance' off

Daily Mail  

A deal on the Elgin Marbles is ‘still some distance’ off but there has been a ‘lot of progress’, the chairman of the British Museum said. Speaking yesterday, George Osborne said the sculptures could not be sent back under current laws but could be lent to Greece – more than 200 years after Lord Elgin had them removed from the …

British Museum ‘still some distance’ from a deal with Greece on the Elgin Marbles, Osborne says
2 weeks, 6 days ago

British Museum ‘still some distance’ from a deal with Greece on the Elgin Marbles, Osborne says

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Greece and the British Museum are “still some distance” from a …

The Elgin marbles belong in Britain – they’re our history, too
2 weeks, 6 days ago

The Elgin marbles belong in Britain – they’re our history, too

The Independent  

The recent statements regarding the Elgin marbles, also known as the Parthenon marbles, and their potential return to Greece call into question our commitment to preserving British cultural heritage. Modern laser machines and digital sculpting techniques could make full-sized, millimetric-perfect copies such as those already demonstrated by Oxford University’s Institute of Digital Archaeology. Mark Ogilvie Horncastle A disappointing day for …

Parthenon marbles deal close says Greece
3 weeks ago

Parthenon marbles deal close says Greece

China Daily  

Visitors view the Parthenon Marbles, also known as the Elgin Marbles, at the British Museum in London on January 9, 2023. The sculptures, which are also known as the Elgin marbles, were taken from Athens to the UK in the early 1800s and Greece wants them back, but the British Museum says it legally owns them. While UK law prevents …

Will Keir Starmer return the Elgin marbles?
3 weeks ago

Will Keir Starmer return the Elgin marbles?

The Independent  

The Elgin marbles, now officially known as the Parthenon marbles, are in the news yet again. Starmer would suffer devastating, vicious attacks from Britain’s overwhelmingly right-wing mainstream media, and offer up an easy, totemic target for performative patriotism by Conservative and Reform UK politicians if he tried to do anything rational. It’s fair to conclude that those who would blockade …

Could this be the key to Britain returning the Elgin marbles to Greece?
3 weeks ago

Could this be the key to Britain returning the Elgin marbles to Greece?

The Independent  

After a series of “private meetings” between the UK and Greece this week, prime ministers Keir Starmer and Kyriakos Mitsotakis are set to meet in London today to discuss the future of the Elgin marbles. Either you consider the marbles to be stolen, and, therefore, the British Museum’s possession of them to be illegal, or you do not dispute ownership, …

Greece claims ‘progress made’ on Elgin Marbles return – but Starmer won’t discuss with Greek PM
3 weeks ago

Greece claims ‘progress made’ on Elgin Marbles return – but Starmer won’t discuss with Greek PM

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Sir Keir Starmer ruled out discussing a return of the Elgin …

Elgin Marbles: What artefacts have the British Museum been urged to return?
3 weeks ago

Elgin Marbles: What artefacts have the British Museum been urged to return?

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “We believe that this kind of long-term partnership would strike the right balance between …

British Museum and Greek PM ‘held talks over return of Elgin Marbles’
3 weeks, 1 day ago

British Museum and Greek PM ‘held talks over return of Elgin Marbles’

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Greek prime minister has reportedly held private meetings with British …

The British Museum names Nicholas Cullinan its new director as it tries to get over a rocky patch
8 months, 3 weeks ago

The British Museum names Nicholas Cullinan its new director as it tries to get over a rocky patch

The Independent  

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British Museum loan to Greece coincides with dispute over demand to return Parthenon Marbles
1 year ago

British Museum loan to Greece coincides with dispute over demand to return Parthenon Marbles

Associated Press  

ATHENS, Greece — Greece’s Acropolis Museum launched an exhibition Tuesday that includes a renowned ancient Greek water jug from 420 B.C. U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak canceled a planned meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in London a week ago, accusing him of seeking to “grandstand” by publicly campaigning for the return of the Parthenon Marbles while visiting Britain. …

UK’s Sunak ramps up criticism of Greek leader in Parthenon Marbles spat
1 year ago

UK’s Sunak ramps up criticism of Greek leader in Parthenon Marbles spat

Associated Press  

LONDON — British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak escalated his war of words with the leader of Greece on Wednesday, accusing Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis of trying to “grandstand” over the disputed Parthenon Marbles and breaking a promise to the U.K. government. During the British prime minister’s weekly question period in the House of Commons on Wednesday, Sunak said “it was …

What is the politics behind the Elgin marbles controversy?
1 year ago

What is the politics behind the Elgin marbles controversy?

The Independent  

Relations between Britain and Greece are strained once again over the Elgin marbles – or Parthenon marbles, as they are more officially known. There is far too much national pride associated with these artefacts, and even a prime minister in a far stronger position than Mr Sunak would find it difficult to survive the backlash. For the same reason, Labour …

How a group of ancient sculptures sparked a dispute between Greece and the UK
1 year ago

How a group of ancient sculptures sparked a dispute between Greece and the UK

Associated Press  

ATHENS, Greece — For decades, Britain and Greece were able to differ, largely politely, over the world’s toughest cultural heritage dispute: What’s the right place for some of the finest ancient Greek sculptures ever made, which have been displayed in London for more than 200 years but which Greece vocally wants back. Now even the British Museum goes by the …

Greek officials angry and puzzled after UK’s Sunak scraps leaders’ meeting over Parthenon Marbles
1 year ago

Greek officials angry and puzzled after UK’s Sunak scraps leaders’ meeting over Parthenon Marbles

Associated Press  

LONDON — Greek officials said Tuesday that they will continue talks with the British Museum about bringing the Parthenon Marbles back to Athens, despite U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak abruptly canceling a meeting with his Greek counterpart where the contested antiquities were due to be discussed. Dimitris Tsiodras, head of the Greek prime minister’s press office, said Mitsotakis was angry …

Greek prime minister accuses Sunak of scrapping Elgin Marbles talks at 11th hour
1 year ago

Greek prime minister accuses Sunak of scrapping Elgin Marbles talks at 11th hour

The Independent  

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Diplomatic spat over the Parthenon Marbles scuttles meeting of British and Greek leaders
1 year ago

Diplomatic spat over the Parthenon Marbles scuttles meeting of British and Greek leaders

Associated Press  

LONDON — A diplomatic spat erupted Monday between Greece and Britain after the U.K. canceled a planned meeting of their prime ministers, prompting the Greek premier to accuse his British counterpart of trying to avoid discussing the contested Parthenon Marbles. Late Monday Mitsotakis issued a statement to “express my annoyance at the fact that the British prime minister has cancelled …

Elgin marbles in British Museum like cutting ‘Mona Lisa in half’, Greek PM says ahead of Sunak meeting
1 year ago

Elgin marbles in British Museum like cutting ‘Mona Lisa in half’, Greek PM says ahead of Sunak meeting

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Greek prime minister has said that the continued presence of …

Greece wants UK to return its Parthenon Marbles
1 year ago

Greece wants UK to return its Parthenon Marbles

Firstpost  

The sculptures, also known as the Elgin Marbles, were taken from the Parthenon temple at the Acropolis in Athens in the early 19th century by British diplomat Greece’s prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Sunday he would push for the return of the Parthenon Marbles when he meets UK leader Rishi Sunak in Britain this week. The sculptures, also known as …

Elgin Marbles could be returned temporarily to Greece in swap scheme – Osborne
1 year, 2 months ago

Elgin Marbles could be returned temporarily to Greece in swap scheme – Osborne

The Independent  

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Just 350 of 2,000 objects stolen from British Museum have so far been recovered as chair George Osborne offers apology to MPs over 'inside job' - and he defends plan to strike deal with Greece over re
1 year, 2 months ago

Just 350 of 2,000 objects stolen from British Museum have so far been recovered as chair George Osborne offers apology to MPs over 'inside job' - and he defends plan to strike deal with Greece over re

Daily Mail  

Just 350 of 2,000 objects stolen from the British Museum as part of an 'inside job' have so far been recovered, MPs heard today. Mr Osborne also told MPs how the British public 'aren't wedded' to the Elgin Marbles remaining in the UK permanently, as he defended recent talks with the Greek government in his bid to strike a deal …

The British Museum says it has recovered some of the stolen 2,000 items
1 year, 3 months ago

The British Museum says it has recovered some of the stolen 2,000 items

Associated Press  

LONDON — The head of trustees at the British Museum said Saturday that the museum has recovered some of the 2,000 items believed to have been stolen by an insider, but admitted that the 264-year-old institution does not have records of everything in its vast collection. Chairman of trustees George Osborne acknowledged that the museum’s reputation has been damaged by …

British Museum’s director resigns, says he didn’t take warning about possible theft seriously enough
1 year, 3 months ago

British Museum’s director resigns, says he didn’t take warning about possible theft seriously enough

Associated Press  

LONDON — The British Museum was alerted more than two years ago to the possible theft or disappearance of valuable artifacts when an art historian became suspicious about objects for sale on eBay. But the museum’s director, Hartwig Fischer, said Friday that he didn’t treat the whistleblower’s warning seriously enough and announced his resignation as investigators figure out what happened …

Greece accused of ‘blatant opportunism’ for suggesting British Museum is not safe
1 year, 4 months ago

Greece accused of ‘blatant opportunism’ for suggesting British Museum is not safe

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A senior Tory …

British Museum worker sacked after items found ‘stolen or damaged’
1 year, 4 months ago

British Museum worker sacked after items found ‘stolen or damaged’

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The museum’s director Hartwig Fischer apologised for the missing artefacts, …

We want win-win solution on Elgin Marbles, says Greek prime minister
1 year, 7 months ago

We want win-win solution on Elgin Marbles, says Greek prime minister

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The prime minister of Greece …

Greek PM seeks ‘innovative’ solution to decades-old Parthenon Sculpture dispute with British Museum
1 year, 7 months ago

Greek PM seeks ‘innovative’ solution to decades-old Parthenon Sculpture dispute with British Museum

Associated Press  

VOLOS, Greece — Greece’s prime minister says his government is exploring a “win-win” solution to one of the world’s most intractable cultural heritage disputes: The fate of the Parthenon Sculptures in the British Museum. But he rules out any deal that would include the word “loan.” “We will never recognize that these sculptures are owned, legally owned by the British …

Greece looks to Vienna for new boost on Parthenon Sculptures
1 year, 7 months ago

Greece looks to Vienna for new boost on Parthenon Sculptures

Associated Press  

ATHENS, Greece — Museums in Austria and Greece are discussing the potential return to Athens of two ancient Greek sculptures, a move which could have a knock-on effect for the world’s thorniest cultural heritage dispute: the fate of the British Museum’s Parthenon Sculptures. Schallenberg said that “technical talks are currently under way” between the Kunsthistorisches Museum and the Acropolis Museum …

Explained: The Parthenon Marbles that the Vatican has returned to Greece
1 year, 8 months ago

Explained: The Parthenon Marbles that the Vatican has returned to Greece

Firstpost  

Three elaborately carved artworks, which were once on display in the Vatican Museums, have been officially returned to Greece. My personal wish is that others will imitate it,” Greece’s spiritual leader, Archbishop Ieronymos II, told the crowded gallery of the Acropolis Museum where the works will be displayed. Acropolis Museum Director Nikolaos Stampolidis holds the head of a bearded man …

With eye on British Museum, Greece welcomes back ancient art
1 year, 9 months ago

With eye on British Museum, Greece welcomes back ancient art

Associated Press  

ATHENS, Greece — Greece on Friday welcomed the return of ancient artifacts from the Acropolis, furthering a campaign to press the British Museum to hand back a collection of sculptures taken from the ancient site in Athens more than 200 years ago. Mendoni said Greece would be willing to lend the British museum ancient Greek artifacts for exhibition to “fill …

Vatican ‘donating’ its own 3 Parthenon sculptures to Greece
1 year, 9 months ago

Vatican ‘donating’ its own 3 Parthenon sculptures to Greece

Associated Press  

ROME — The Vatican and Greece finalized a deal Tuesday for the return of three sculpture fragments from the Parthenon that have been in the collection of the Vatican Museums for two centuries, the latest case of a Western museum bowing to demands for restitution. But it nevertheless puts pressure on the British Museum to conclude a deal with Greece …

Museum: London, Athens could share Parthenon Marbles in deal
1 year, 10 months ago

Museum: London, Athens could share Parthenon Marbles in deal

Associated Press  

LONDON — The chair of the British Museum said Thursday that the U.K. and Greece are working on a deal that would see his institution’s Parthenon Marbles displayed in both London and Athens. Carved in the 5th century BC, they were taken in the early 19th century by British diplomat Lord Elgin and ended up in the British Museum, which …

UK minister rules out permanent return of Parthenon Marbles to Greece
1 year, 11 months ago

UK minister rules out permanent return of Parthenon Marbles to Greece

Firstpost  

Taken by Elgin when he was the British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, Greece maintains the marbles were stolen and has long campaigned for their return while the UK maintains they were legally obtained London: UK culture minister Michelle Donelan on Wednesday said she did not support the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece, following a report that a …

Pope returns Greece’s Parthenon Sculptures in ecumenical nod
2 years ago

Pope returns Greece’s Parthenon Sculptures in ecumenical nod

Associated Press  

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis will send back to Greece the three fragments of the Parthenon Sculptures that the Vatican Museums have held for two centuries, in the latest case of a Western museum bowing to demands for restitution of artifacts to their countries of origin. In announcing the decision Friday, the Vatican termed the gesture a “donation” from Francis …

Greece seeks ‘win-win’ deal on Parthenon Sculptures in UK
2 years ago

Greece seeks ‘win-win’ deal on Parthenon Sculptures in UK

Associated Press  

ATHENS, Greece — Cabinet ministers from Greece and the U.K. discussed Greece’s bid to get the Parthenon Sculptures returned from London but gave no sign the world’s thorniest cultural heritage issue was any closer to resolution Tuesday. Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Europe Leo Docherty that Athens seeks a “win-win” solution with the British Museum, where ancient Greek marble …

British Museum reportedly in talks on Parthenon Sculptures
2 years ago

British Museum reportedly in talks on Parthenon Sculptures

Associated Press  

LONDON — The British Museum has pledged not to dismantle its collection, following a report that the institution’s chairman has held secret talks with Greece’s prime minister over the return of the Parthenon Sculptures, also known as the Elgin Marbles. The museum said it was prepared to “talk to anyone, including the Greek government’’ about a new Parthenon “partnership.’’ “As …

Greece hopes marble foot will get UK to return sculptures
2 years, 11 months ago

Greece hopes marble foot will get UK to return sculptures

Associated Press  

ATHENS, Greece — It’s only the size of a shoebox, carved with the broken-off foot of an ancient Greek goddess. But Greece hopes the 2,500-year-old marble fragment, which arrived Monday on loan from an Italian museum, may help resolve one of the world’s thorniest cultural heritage disputes and lead to the reunification in Athens of all surviving Parthenon Sculptures — …

Italy sending Parthenon fragment to Athens in nudge to UK
2 years, 11 months ago

Italy sending Parthenon fragment to Athens in nudge to UK

Associated Press  

ROME — An Italian museum is lending a fragment of the Parthenon Sculptures to Greece, in what both sides hope will become a permanent return that might encourage others — the British Museum, in particular — to send their own pieces of the works back, too. Sicily’s regional archaeological museum said Wednesday it had signed an agreement with the Acropolis …

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