Progress in the negotiations for the return of the Parthenon sculptures to Greece was reported at a recent conference organized by the Greek community at the London School of Economics, "Negotiations have progressed more than ever before," said Marlen Godwin, Chair of the British Committee for the Reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures, according to Capital.
The conference centered on efforts to return the Parthenon Sculptures, also known as the Elgin Marbles, to Athens. The British Museum's impending reconstruction is seen as an opportune moment for the sculptures to find their rightful place.
"From the purely legal side, it is clear that they were stolen during the time of corruption by Lord Elgin and that they were never his; he never bought them, and they were never sold to him," said Mark Stephens, a lawyer specializing in art and cultural heritage cases, according to Enikos. "As the law defines in every country, if you have stolen something, you never acquire title to it; it never belongs to you. The original owner can always come and take it back."
"We are talking about a work of art that is in pieces and must be whole," said Victoria Hislop, an author and known philhellene. "We believe that Keir Starmer is in favor and not against, and that gives hope," Hislop added.
"By maintaining accurate copies of the sculptures, the British Museum will continue its role, while at the same time the sculptures will return to their natural and historical place, restoring their cultural and emotional value," said Roger Michel, Director of the British Institute of Digital Archaeology.
The proposal to create high-quality replicas could serve as a compromise, allowing the British Museum to retain a display while returning the originals to Athens. Personalities, institutions, and organizations are pressing for a solution to this longstanding dispute.
Participants at the conference underscored the importance of restoring the Parthenon Sculptures to their original context, emphasizing that their separation diminishes their cultural and emotional value. The momentum generated by the conference reflects a broader shift in public opinion and institutional attitudes toward cultural restitution. The reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures is increasingly seen not only as a bilateral issue between the United Kingdom and Greece but as a matter of international cultural significance.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.