LSE Hellenic Conference 2025: Cultural Politics and Ongoing Debates, the Reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures
Date: 21st March
Time: 12:00-13:00 PM
Location: LSE Campus, Yangtze Theatre - Centre Building
Speakers
● Victoria Hislop
● Mark Stephens CBE
● Roger Michel
● Moderator: Dr. Tatiana Flessas – Associate Professor of Law, LSE
Victoria Hislop is an internationally acclaimed author whose works explore Greece’s rich history and cultural heritage. A member of the British Committee for the Reunification of the Parthenon Marbles (BCRPM), she is a passionate advocate for the return of Greece’s displaced antiquities. Her debut novel, The Island (2005), became a global sensation, selling over 6 million copies in 40 languages and inspiring a record-breaking Greek TV adaptation. Victoria's dedication to Greece extends beyond literature—she was awarded Honorary Greek Citizenship in 2020 for her contributions to Greek culture. She is also Patron of Knossos 2025, working to support archaeological research in Crete. Beyond writing, Victoria is an ambassador for Lepra, a UK charity supporting leprosy treatment worldwide, and an advocate for literacy through her work with the National Literacy Trust.
Mark Stephens CBE, is a distinguished solicitor specializing in media law, intellectual property, human rights, and cultural property law, with Legal 500 (2025) describing him as: "Quite simply a legend of the art and cultural property world ‘’. He is the co-founder of the renowned law firm Howard Kennedy and member of the British Committee for the Reunification of the Parthenon Marbles (BCRPM), working to address legal and ethical debates surrounding cultural heritage. Throughout his career, Mark has advised high-profile clients, representing figures such as Julian Assange, Mike Tyson and Greenpeace, as well as handling complex international arbitration disputes. He has also been retained by multiple governments, including that of Cyprus to advise and represent their legal interests. He also lectures at universities and higher education institutions worldwide.
Roger Michel, is the Executive Director of the Institute for Digital Archaeology (IDA), known for its ground-breaking work in heritage preservation and reconstruction. The IDA collaborates with national governments, major universities, and NGOs to create high-precision replicas of significant cultural artefacts. Its reconstructions are featured in museums worldwide, including the Victoria & Albert Museum’s Cast Courts. The potential replication of the Parthenon Marbles aims to provide a diplomatic solution to the longstanding ownership debate. Michel’s team can produce indistinguishable copies, offering the British Museum a way to maintain the visual experience of the Marbles while allowing the originals to return to Greece. Before founding the IDA, he had a distinguished career as a public prosecutor in the U.S., specializing in high-profile murder cases and a Lecturer at Boston University Law School for 25 years.
Note that the conference organizers extended an invitation to the British Museum to participate in this discussion, but they were unable to send a representative.
Each speaker will explain how they first became involved in the debate over the Parthenon Marbles and why this issue resonates with them.
Historical background: Was the acquisition of the Parthenon Marbles by Lord Elgin legal, and does legality override ethical considerations?
● How does modern international law, including UNESCO conventions, view cases like this?
● Should the legal ambiguity of the Marbles’ removal impact their return?
● How might future legal frameworks evolve to address cultural property disputes more effectively and what role will international organizations (UNESCO, ICOM, the EU) play in shaping restitution policies?
Museums’ role, Challenges, Future Outlook
● Are museums still justified in holding culturally significant artefacts?
● How do recent restitution cases (e.g., the Benin Bronzes) set a precedent? What lessons can be learned from Italy and the Vatican’s recent returns of Parthenon fragments?
● Could a long-term loan be a viable compromise, or would it set a dangerous precedent?
● Could the British Museum and Greece reach another collaborative resolution in the coming years? What would that look like?
● How do generational shifts in museum leadership influence the likelihood of change?
● How has literature, media/journalism, and public discourse influenced the debate on the Parthenon Marbles?
● Have you encountered resistance to your work in advocating for cultural restitution?
● How could emerging technologies (AI, 3D scanning, digital twins) offer alternative solutions for cultural heritage access?
Q&A Session
Closing Remarks
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