Lord Frost, adds his support for the reunification of the Parhenon Marbles, article by Yannis Andritsopoulos in today's TA NEA, Weekend. The article is in Greek and a translation can be read here.
Yannis writes: 'For the Sculptures to be returned "the law will have to be changed, which I think most British MPs would consent to," notes Lord Frost.
In an article in "Telegraph" last week, the leading Tory politician surprised readers by advocating the reunification of the Sculptures. "I have been supporting this privately since I was studying in Greece," he comments today, revealing that he decided to take a public stand when "TA NEA" brought to light the secret Osborne - Mitsotakis negotiations.'
We welcome Lord Frost's support for the reunification. It is a pity that UK Ministers speak out after they are not obliged to follow Government guidelines on this issue. Today's article in Ta Nea follows on from Michelle Donelan, UK Culture Secretary's announcement on Wednesday 11 January, on BBC News that the UK government has no intention of amending the law or allowng the sculprures removed in questionable circumstances by Lord Elgin at the start of the 19th century to be returned to Greece, because they are part of British culture.
We sincerely hope that these voices, such as those of Lord Frost and former Culture Secretary Ed Vaizey, now speaking out in support for the reunification are doing so as they also acknowledge UNESCO's recommendations and decisions, that the reunification of these specific sculptures is an intergovernmental matter.
Here's to seeing the relentless efforts of Greece answered, a cultural request that is wholly justified, and a UK brave enough to embrace international relations of the cultural kind, facilitating the long awaited reunification of the Parthenon Marbles.
Respect for the Parthenon, and these fragmented sculptures, and their display in the top floor, glass-walled Parthenon Gallery of the Acropolis Museum would celebrate this reunification as a 21st century achievement in cultural heritage dispute resolutions. A celebration for both UK and Greece, and the world as a whole.
To watch the 23rd session of UNESCO's ICPRCP meeting in Paris, 18 May 2022, and the presentations made by both Greece and the UK, follow the link here, staring at 3:20:00, item 6, the Parthenon Sculptures.
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