International Colloquy on
THE REUNIFICATION OF THE PARTHENON MARBLES
LONDON, 19-20 JUNE 2012
The colloquy is aimed to promote an open dialogue and create further effort for change, and will be held 19 June 2012, at the London Hellenic Centre, 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
On 20 June, a planned organized attendance at the British Museum will take place followed by the launch of the “MISSING” global awareness campaign. This will include events scheduled around the world and online to mobilize support for the campaign.
The colloquy, which will draw supporters from all corners of the globe, is jointly presented by The British Committee for the Reunification of the Parthenon Marbles (BCRPM), The American Committee for the Reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures (ACRPS), and The International Organizing Committee – Australia – for the Restitution of the Parthenon Marbles (IOC-A-RPM).
The event is timed to coincide with the third year anniversary of the opening of the new Acropolis Museum and the occasion of the 2012 London Olympics one month later. There are plans to videotape and stream the proceedings online following the event for a global audience.
Major Highlights
Among the distinguised speakers at the colloquy is world-renowned human rights advocate, George Bizos SC, a Member on the BCRPM Committee and lawyer to Nelson Mandela for over a half a century. Mr. Bizos will speak on issues relating to litigation.
Day One (Tuesday, 19 June) there will be presentations by guest speakers from the UK, Greece, Australia, USA and elsewhere. Themes will highlight the concept of the “universal museum” as well as legal issues relating to the reunification of the Parthenon Marbles. Confirmed speakers include Prof. Dimitrios Pandermalis, President of the new Acropolis Museum; Dr. Tom Flynn, Art Historian, and Christina Borg, Literary Journalist, who will pay tribute to BCRPM’s friend and supporter, the late Christopher Hitchens.
The closing of the colloquy, Day Two (Wednesday, 20 June), will feature a planned organized attendance at the British Museum followed by the launch of the “MISSING” global awareness campaign with events scheduled around the world and online to mobilize support for the campaign – an initiative created by Konstantine Vaxevaneris, Creative Director of ACRPS. The campaign will launch with three targeted countries: UK, U.S. and Australia. A virtual component to the “MISSING” campaign will soon unite supporters online. All are encouraged to join this effort – to participate in the colloquy and support the campaign. Following the colloquy, we urge everyone to make a personal pledge to take this campaign within their own communities
Messages from the organisers:
As the important international festival of the Olympic Games approaches in London, we intend through this colloquy to remind the world that in London also there is another debt to Greece, which will not be repaid until the Parthenon Marbles in the British Museum are reunited with their other halves in Athens.
The British Committee for the Reunification of the Parthenon Marbles (BCRPM)
This momentous event largely echoes the tireless efforts around the globe to educate and connect people and resources. By forging an open dialogue and coalitions among supporters, we hope to dramatically increase the level of awareness and support around the world.
Michael J Reppas, Esq, Chairman
The American Committee for the Reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures, Inc. (ACRPS)
I feel it is to the utmost importance that the British and Greek Government get together with an open mind and resolve this most important cultural property dispute once and for all, because this issue is not going away.
Emanuel J Comino AM, Founder and Chairman
The International Organising Committee - Australia - For the Restitution of the Parthenon Marbles Inc (IOC-A-RPM)
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