A total of 351 objects and 25 groups of artefacts are to be repatriated to Greece after a 17-year battle. The announcement was made by Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni on Friday, 19 May. 

Robin Symes, a British antiquities dealer, had amassed thousands of pieces as part of a network of illegal traders.

Statues, figurines, sculptures, vases, jewelry, utensils and accessories dating back to Neolithic, early Byzantine times, once part of the Robin Symes collection are to be returned.

The Greek Ministry of Antiquities added that the repatriation of these antiquities was the result of the constant pursuit of all political leaders of the Ministry of Culture and Sports and the General Directorate of Antiquities and Cultural Heritage. A methodical effort was carried out by many services of the Ministry of Culture, and especially the Directorate of Documentation and Protection of Cultural Properties, the National Archaeological Museum and the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki. The head of the Directorate of Documentation and Protection of Cultural Properties, Vasiliki Papageorgiou, and the relevant department head, Elena Vlachogianni.

Many archaeologists of the YPPOA made significant contributions to various phases of the documentation supplied in relation to these objects. Amongst the archaelogists, Eleni Papazoglou-Manioudaki and Katerina Voutsa, participated in the working groups set up by the YPPOA to handle the case. Elena Korka and Maria Andreadaki-Vlazaki, as well as Polyxeni Adam-Veleni, participated as experts and as members of the working groups.

A noteworthy contribution was made by the Greek Police and the Judicial Authorities. Decisive for this successful outcome  was the cooperation of the Ministry of the Interior with the Legal Council of the State. The legal follow-up of the case was undertaken by Artemis Papathanasiou, Legal Advisor of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who also contributed significantly to the promotion of the case through the Embassy of Greece in London.

A trustee of the British Museum has confirmed the institution is in talks with the Greek government about the disposition of the Parthenon Marbles, but has told Al Jazeera that a deal may be elusive.

“There is certainly movement, but it is being overhyped,” said Mary Beard, professor of classics at Cambridge University and a trustee since 2020.

“I think something is really happening … There have been discussions between [board of trustees chair] George Osborne and [Greek premier] Kyriakos Mitsotakis,” she told Al Jazeera.

“There is real desire to do something. After 200 years, surely we can get somewhere better than where we are,” Beard said. “Is the problem going to be resolved? I’m not sure.”

Read the artucle aptly entitled: "Rumours of Parthenon Marbles’ return ‘overhyped’, experts say"

The British Museum claims Elgin “was granted a permit” to “draw, measure and remove figures”. But critics say he stretched that to remove far more than was intended.

“Among the bribes Elgin is known to have given is 100 pounds to the Kaimacam [district governor] in Constantinople to release the second shipment [of Marbles], and an amount to the Disdar [fortress commander] in Athens equal to 35 times his annual salary. Elgin documented all expenditures because he was financed by his in-laws,” said Elena Korka.

 An Economist survey in 2000 found that two-thirds of British MPs would vote for the Marbles’ return if a motion were tabled.

A Sunday Times survey in August 2022 found that 78 percent of Britons would return the Marbles, and a poll this month by the Evening Standard found a clear majority of 53 percent of Britons favouring their return – more than the majority that voted for Brexit.

“There’s a very important change in the UK in public opinion and individuals who have an opinion on the matter, from the entire political spectrum, who now openly argue in favour of the marbles’ reunification, recognising their uniqueness,” said Mitsotakis.

We would add that public opinion has always favoured the reunification, especially amongst those that were told the whole story about the Parthenon Marbles removal at the start of the 19th century, by Lord Elgin. What has changed is museums around the world entering into talks between on the matter of returns and restitution of artefacts to their countries of origin. Museums are listening to what their publics want to see, and are looking to the future.