Sadiq Khan makes a resounding intervention on the issue of the return of the Parthenon Sculptures, speaking exclusively to Ta Nea. Article by Yannis Andritsopoulos.
The popular mayor of London, Sadiq Khan asks the British government and the British Museum to enter into dialogue with Greece and calls on them to "stop burying their heads in the sand" in order to find a solution to the problem of the continuing, for more than two centuries, the division of masterpieces designed by Phidias.
"I think we need to start talking about the issue of the Parthenon Sculptures," says Kahn, who last May completed six years in the mayoral post.
"In fact, this is an issue that the citizens of both countries are already discussing," he continues, commenting on opinion polls that show that the majority of Britons are in favour of the reunification of the Sculptures.
"Dialogue is a good thing, it is something that needs to be done about the Sculptures. I don't think there is any point in continuing to bury our heads in the sand," he says, clarifying that he refers to the attitude of the British government, which claims that the repatriation of ancient Greek treasures "is not up for discussion" and refers to the British Museum, which, however, agrees to consider only the possibility of lending them to Greece.
"I understand the issues related to history. I understand the issues that arise that relate to politics. I also understand the issues related to diplomacy and all the other issues that arise," says 51-year-old Kahn.
"But," he adds, "I don't see why the British government and the British Museum cannot start a discussion with the Greek government on the future of the Parthenon Sculptures." He did not, however, want to reveal whether he was in favour of their permanent reunification.
To read the article in Ta Nea, follow the link here (there is a paywall).
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