A weekend of the Parthenon Marbles dominating the news. From print and digital media outlets to radio, including LBC and Classic FM.
Sarah Baxter wrote in the Times on Saturday asking that vital question, what has changed the British Museum's mind? Visiting Athens, Sarah met with Prime Minister Mitsotakis and Culture Minister Lina Mendoni at a gathering in Greece's presidential palace to celebrate the 48th anniversary of the rebirth of democracy after rule by junta. Srah was there with BCRPM member Victoria Hislop.
Sarah writes: 'After decades of bitter stand-off, something is afoot. The Greek culture minister, Lina Mendoni, stopped by. “The atmosphere has changed,” she told us. “With goodwill we can find a way forward for both parties.” She introduced us to the Greek prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who also promised Greece was open to negotiations. But, he cautioned, “baby steps are not enough. We want big steps.” '
'It is wishful thinking, of course. But the British Museum knows it is losing the battle for hearts and minds — and after decades of defensiveness it is now ready to talk. A fortnight ago I met Jonathan Williams, the deputy director of the British Museum, in the rabbit warren of offices behind the galleries. “What we are calling for is an active ‘Parthenon partnership’ with our friends and colleagues in Greece,” he announced for the first time. “I firmly believe there is space for a really dynamic and positive conversation within which new ways of working together can be found.” Decode this diplomatic language and there’s a new message: let’s make a deal.'
To read Sarah Baxter's article, follow the link here.
And if you subscribe to the Times, do also vote on the online poll, which when BCRPM did so this morning, it stood at 78% of readers agreeing that the Parthenon Marbles should be given back to Greece. At that point there had been 10,981 folks that had voted.
The story was picked up by several others including LBC's Sangita Myska who spoke with Yannis Andritsopoulos and Ed Vaizey, both adding support for the reunification, plus more newspaper outlets, including: The Guardian, The Independent, The Standard, The Telegraph, The Scotsman, the Daily Mail, the Express, The Greek Reporter, and more!
What does BCRPM think? Good to hear that the British Museum feels it is time to have "dynamic and positive conversation" in cooperation with Greece and the Acropolis Museum about these sculptures, and in order to find a way forward to a 206 year old impasse. This is welcomed. Dialogue is a great start and if both sides are able to approach such dialogue with respect, empathy and understanding, the will to reunite the Parthenon sculptures as close as it is physically possible to the Parthenon, will be hugely uplifting for millions across the globe, not least those supporting this cause in the UK, and in Greece.
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