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Margarita Vartholomeou in conversation with Victoria Hislop for The Panhellenic Post

On the topic of the reunification of the Parthenon Marbles, Victoria Hislop passionately advocates for their return to their rightful home in the magnificent Acropolis Museum, where they can be appreciated as part of a unified masterpiece, rather than being confined to a somber, grey room in London.

Margarita Vartholomeou in conversation with Victoria Hislop for The Panhellenic Post 

Q: You have been a strong advocate for the repatriation of the Parthenon Sculptures. Could you elaborate on your perspective and why this cause is particularly important to you?

Victoria Hislop's Answer: I think it is always important to begin with the facts.  The British Museum is very attached to a series of untruths about what Elgin actually did to bring the sculptures to Britain. 

a.They talk about a Firman (official permission from the  Sultan himself) which did not exist.  All Elgin had was a letter which only survives in translation.

b.They talk about the permission he was given to remove the sculptures (he was only given permission to pick up pieces of rubble that had already fallen). 

They do not reinforce the fact that Elgin was stealing the sculptures to decorate his own home in Scotland – and they purchased them from him to save him from bankruptcy. They are very stubborn about this – and do not tell the full story – the factual story.

I feel passionate about this cause – largely because of the facts of the removal of the sculptures – but even more because they are part of a whole work of art – and they should be reunified.  And that they should return home to the beautiful Acropolis Museum – rather than be displayed in a depressing, grey room in London.

Read the entire article in The Panhellenic Post.

BCRPM launched a campaign in 2020 entitled 'Tell the Story'. This was aimed at highlighting factoids used by the UK government and the British Museum. To read more about that initiative, follow the link here.

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Comité Suisse pour le Retour des Marbres du Parthénon (CSRMP) founded in 2008, elect new officers

Monday 17 February 2025, the members present of the Swiss Committee for the Reunification of the Parthenon Marbles, Comité Suisse pour le Retour des Marbres du Parthénon (CSRMP), at an extraordinary General Assembly unanimously elected Professor Cléopatre Montandon as the new President and Mrs Patricia van Gene as the new Vice-President.
 
Professor Sidjanski, the well respected outgoing President and founder of the Committee (2008), has been elected Honorary President.
 
The Committee thanked the outgoing Vice President, Mr. Olivier Vodoz, for his commitment and valuable advice.
 
The new President, Cléopatre Montandon presented a programme of rich initiatives, these were well received by those assembled. All were keen to support and see these initiatives implemented, driven by CSRMP's deep desire to see the Parthenon Marbles finally reunited in the Acropolis Museum in Athens!
 
 
 
 
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Whether as a testament to the Athenian enlightenment or Periclean imperialism, the Parthenon is a monument of civilization. For those of us who derive a humanist and democratic ethos from classical Athens, the temple matters greatly. In this sense, the marbles aren’t simply Greek, but belong to all of humanity. The case for reunification has to be made on this cosmopolitan basis. The world deserves to see the story that Phidias intended to tell in whole.

Ralph Leonard

 'What Christopher Hitchens Understood About the Parthenon. The British Museum should return the ancient treasures to Greece for the sake of art, not nationalism.' Writes Ralph Leonard for The Atlantic.

"Ever since the early 19th century, when Thomas Bruce, seventh earl of Elgin, sawed off and crowbarred many of the carvings that ringed the top of the Parthenon and sold them to the British Museum to dodge bankruptcy, the British have been sharply polarized over whether Britain or Greece has the right to these sculptures. For many liberals and radicals, beginning with Lord Byron, Elgin was a vandal who had committed sacrilege. Yet others maintained that he’d acquired the marbles legally, and even that he’d rescued them from inevitable neglect under the Ottoman empire." Continues Ralph Leonard

"Christopher Hitchens, among the most eloquent and forceful advocates of rejoining the Parthenon marbles, helped tilt me toward the cause of repatriation. With great timing, Verso Books has just reissued his slim book The Parthenon Marbles: The Case for Reunification." Adds Ralph Leonard.

 

That para transported a few of us to a May day at Chatham House in 2008, a year and a month before the official opening of the Acropolis Museum. On a personal note, meeting Christopher Hitchens was memorable on so many levels but for now will say that what makes his book special and the third edition in particular, is that it is dedicated to James Cubitt, BCRPM's founder and that at the launch George Bizos also a BCRPM member spoke. Timely to have George in London and his words of wisdom as the preface to that edition was written by Nadine Gordimer, plus George through his South African Committee had raised funds for the book too. 

Sadly many that gathered at that book launch ae no longer with us and that includes Christopher as well as BCRPM's Hon Secretary Eleni Cubitt, the then Vice-Chair Christopher Price and the exceptional human rights lawyer George Bizos with historian William St Clair, all pictured above. The two young supporters, Benjamin Godwin (aged 11) and Lucia Mary Bizos (aged 12) pictured at the book launch, in 2016 attended the Commemorative event to mark 200 years from the date in 1816 when the British Parliament voted to purchase from Lord Elgin his collection of sculpted marbles collected from the Parthenon and elsewhere on the Athenian Acropolis. BCRPM held the event at Senate House in June 2016 and both Ben and Lucia were taller by then but they had also read the book, and continue to support the campaign.

"Hitchens’s dedication to this cause wasn’t merely due to a romantic philhellenism rooted in the classical British-private-school curriculum; his life was intertwined with the Hellenic world. As a young socialist and internationalist in the 1970s, he had written and spoken against the Greek military junta that had persecuted his fellow leftists. The independence of Cyprus was among his precious causes, alongside self-determination for the Kurds and the Palestinians—who had long been victims of occupation and imperialist power games. His first wife was a Greek Cypriot, and, as he noted movingly in his memoir Hitch-22, his mother died by suicide in a hotel room overlooking the Acropolis, amid a 1973 anti-junta student uprising. The cause of the Parthenon marbles was therefore both personal and political, emblematic “of a long and honourable solidarity between British liberals and radicals and the cause of a free and independent Greece,” as he wrote in the introduction to the 2008 edition." Writes Ralph Leonard as adds why Christopher Hitchens made his case for repatriating the works almost exclusively on artistic grounds.

The then arguments for keeping the Parthenon Marbles slowly fell by the wayside once the Acropolis Museum opened, "proving Greeks are not just worthy, but superb custodians of their antiquity." The only argument that continues to creep in despite restitution taking a more prominent stage in recent years, is the precedent, the slippery slope, the emptying of museums - all  unfounded. There are not enough museums when one considers how many artefacts sit in storage facilities and then you add the continued discovery of more artefacts and wonder why anyone would imagine that any museum should ever be empty! And don't get us started on precedent ..... 

Ralph Leonard also writes about the Benin Bronzes as they deserve to have their place in history and in museums. Scotland's museums and the Horniman Museum have agreed to return their bronzes to Nigeria. Some remaining to be displayed in the Horniman, proving that cultural co-operation still exists. As Ralph Leonard also points out these were "part of a unified work depicting the history and mythology of the kingdom (which was annexed by the British empire in 1897), yet the majority are stand-alone pieces."

"Whether as a testament to the Athenian enlightenment or Periclean imperialism, the Parthenon is a monument of civilization. For those of us who derive a humanist and democratic ethos from classical Athens, the temple matters greatly. In this sense, the marbles aren’t simply Greek, but belong to all of humanity. The case for reunification has to be made on this cosmopolitan basis. The world deserves to see the story that Phidias intended to tell in whole." Concludes Ralph Leonard.

To read Ralph Leonard's article in full, follow the link to The Atlantic.

Ralph Leonard is a British-Nigerian writer on international politics, religion, culture and humanism.

 

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Victoria and Alicia walk proudly on the path marked out by the great romantic poet, each with their own unique stylistic writing style, reinforcing the idea of ​​freedom and camaraderie, against all kinds of injustice. Like Byron, Victoria Hislop and Alicia Stallings choose to live in this place and, reflecting on its history and literature, illuminate modern Greece through their words

The founder of the Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism (SHP), Konstantinos Velentzas

Victoria Hislop and Alicia E. Stallings were awarded with the Lord Byron Medal of Philanthropy 2025 at the Athens Academy, on Tuesday 04 February 2025.
 
The two internationally acclaimed ladies of literature, British author Victoria Hislop and American poet and poetry professor at Oxford University, Alicia Elizabeth Stallings were honoured with this award an initiative of Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism (SHP). Since 2021 this annual award is held in cooperation with the Academy of Athens. Through the Lord Byron Medal and Lord Byron Award, the Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism (SHP) commemorate the concept of Phillellinism, whose expression became celebrated during the 19th century with the support of the Greek Revolution, but its existence and continuity has a timeless determination.
 
The presentation of the diploma and medal was carried out by the President and founder of the Society, Konstantino Velenza, the President of the Academy of Athens,  Michael Tiverio, and the General Secretary of the Academy of Athens Christo Zerrefos.
 
 "The Academy of Athens and the Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism wish, through the Lord Byron Medal and Lord Byron Award, to honour the concept of Philhellenism, as an ideal first expressed and  amplified during the 19th century with the support of the Greek Revolution, but whose existence and continuity are timeless," said, among other things, the President of the Academy, Michalis Tiberios.

And he continued: "Today's honourees, with the Greek Secretariat as their "excavation site" and the eternal field of research in the interpretation of the Greek landscape and the people of this nation, have worked and are working for many years to promote Greek culture and disseminate it as a common point of reference for all of us. Both chose to divide their lives between their countries of origin and work and Greece. For them, as for Byron, Greece is a homeland of choice."

The founder of the Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism (SHP), Konstantinos Velentzas, presented to the packed Academy of Athens the most important milestones in the course and the admirable work of the two laureates, distinguishing them as "two prominent personalities of letters and the arts, internationally renowned, who through their intellectual and social work give flesh and blood to what is defined today as Contemporary Philhellenism."

"Victoria and Alicia walk proudly on the path marked out by the great romantic poet, each with their own unique stylistic writing style, reinforcing the idea of ​​freedom and camaraderie, against all kinds of injustice. Like Byron, Victoria Hislop and Alicia Stallings choose to live in this place and, reflecting on its history and literature, illuminate modern Greece through their words."

“When Victoria became a member of the Royal Society of Literature in 2024, she was asked to choose the pen of an acclaimed writer from her country to sign her entry into the Society. The pens belonged to Charles Dickens, George Eliot and Lord Byron. She chose that of Lord Byron, stating of her choice: I like to imagine that Byron carried it with him on his travels in Greece! ”

Inspired by Lord Byron's well-known phrases, " A thousand hearts unite in one common cause" and "Those who fight for a great cause never fail," he referred to the heartfelt participation of the two honourees in the significant event that took place in October 2024 at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus,  to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the death of the romantic poet and the Year of Philhellenism, where their stirring recitations on stage with Lina Nikolakopoulou, brought a rapturous response from everyone.

Victoria Hislop and Alicia Stallings in thanking the Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism and the Academy of Athens for their awards reiterated their love for Greece and Greek culture, reaffirming the spirit of Lord Byron as always remaining relevant.

In particular, Victoria Hislop referred to Lord Byron and his love for Greece as well as his poetry, which she said, "As a writer, he managed to write with passion, originality and sincerity and touch the heart of every reader, knowing from his manuscripts that he laboured to find the right words, although the result seems as if it came effortlessly from his pen and it is as if you are hearing his voice."

"Lord Byron is a great inspiration for all writers. He certainly is for me. Many times Byron wrote for some important purpose to influence and lead others to action. Rarely were his texts simply for entertainment. His speech in support of Greece in Europe was important."

"If I were talking to Lord Byron my first words would be, 'You have succeeded. Your great struggle has been vindicated.' "

Alicia E. Stallings expressed her honour to receive the Philhellenism Medal, especially when it bears the name of the greatest Philhellene of all time. She clarified that “Lord Byron is not well known for his heroism in English-speaking countries, and he is not well known for his poetry in Greece. If Greeks know anything about his poetic work, it is usually the first four stanzas of his famous poem, The Isles of Greece .”

Continuing, "Byron, the man of letters, the greatest comic and satirical poet of his time, and the man of action and political mobilization, were not two different men, but one poet. But Byron knew that both words and deeds, both swords and odes, reach their peak, and shine brightest, in the darkest times.

Poets sharpen words. They help them keep their meaning sharp, in an era when tyrants and oligarchs dull them with the repeated blows with which they try to tame societies. When the battle seems lost, then more than ever, we need poetry.”

With a view to strengthening the extroversion of the Academy of Athens, its President, Michalis Tiberios, stated that for the first time, within the framework of the collaboration with the Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism and the award ceremony of the Lord Byron Medal of Philhellenism, a concert with an orchestra would follow the award ceremony. 

The Music of Greece's Air Force conducted by the well-known and excellent artist, Alexandros Litsardopoulos, also featured wo exceptional and talented performers, baritone Angelos Mousikas and soprano Sofia Zova.

 

 

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Stephen Fry in Athens to launch Odyssey: The Greek Myths Reimagined and speaks on the Parthenon Marbles

Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni welcomed Stephen Fry to Athens for the launch of his latest book 'Odyssey: The Greek Myths Reimagined'. 

Speaking at the Acropolis Museum alongside Minister Kefalogianni and Professor Stampolidis, the Director General of the museum, Stephen Fry stressed the importance of Britain working together with Greece to find a mutually agreeable solution for the return of the sculptures, currently housed at the British Museum in London. He pointed to recent examples of international collaboration, such as the return of the Fagan fragment from Sicily and the Pope’s donation from the Vatican Museum. We would add that there was an earlier return, the 

Stephen Fry’s calls for the return of the Parthenon Marbles began in 2011, continuing the efforts of his late friend, journalist Christopher Hitchens, who passed away that same year. Christopher Hichens wrote and was in London for the 3rd edition launch of 'The Parthenon, A Case for Reunification' in May 2008 at Chatham House, organised by BCRPM. The third edition is dedicated to BCRPM founder, James Cubitt and funds to publish this edition were raised by BCRPM and George Bizos with the South African Committee supporting the reunification of the Parthenon Marbles.

BCRPM member, Christina Borg, interviewed Christopher at the 3rd edition book launch. To read that interview follow the link here.

To listen to Stephen's words during his Athens visit, visit YouTube. During this clip Professor Stampolidis the Director General of the Acropolis Museum is also speaking and reminds us all of the huge contribution that UNESCO's ICPRCP has made to raising the the plight of the divided Parthenon Marbles at international level. This was initiated over four decades ago by the then Greek Minister of Culture, Melina Mercouri and since 2021 including consecutive meetings of the ICPRCP, the recommendations made have added pressure to both the UK government and the British Museum, to begin dialogue and find a way forward. 

The great news is that dialogue did begin between PM Mitsotakis and the British Museum in 2021, and continues. 

Articles on Stephen Fry's Athens visit also in eKathimerini, ProThema and GTP.

 

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The Parthenon sculptures have come to represent a larger debate about the repatriation of artefacts to their countries of origin

 

Can the British Museum rebrand itself? Historic institution is planning a £150,000 makeover after a string of controversies, writes Chas Newkey-Burden for The Week UK

The British Museum is facing an "omni-crisis" as it launches a £150,000 rebrand project following a series of controversies that have shaken its historical foundations.

"Beset by colonial controversy, difficult finances" and "the discovery of a thief on the inside", the institution is battling to "reframe itself" in the public eye, said The Guardian.

What did the commentators say?

"As the century turned", so did public perception of the British Museum, said The Art Insider. As well as one of the "largest collections of artworks, antiquities and collectibles", the museum also has "one of the largest collections of controversies". To "re-invent itself in a new light" means beginning by "righting the wrongs committed in the past".

In "the years of identity politics", criticism of the museum "coalesces" around the case for repatriating the Benin bronzes, looted by the British from Benin City's royal palace in 1897, and the Parthenon sculptures, the legality of whose removal from Greece by Lord Elgin has been "disputed" for centuries.

It's often claimed that "there'd be nothing left" in the British Museum if it "returned everything" that the UK "allegedly stole from other countries", said Euronews, but the claim is "hyperbolic". In reality, the "vast majority" of the items in the museum originate from the UK.

But the museum's "weak leadership" and failure to properly address the criticism has "done little" to rebut the claim, said The Guardian. Then, in 2023, it emerged that one of the museum’s staff members had allegedly stolen or damaged 2,000 items from the collection, shattering the "assumption" on which its "legitimacy rests" – that it "looks after the objects in its care".

The challenges are part of a wider debate about museums and their evolving role. "Once tranquil places of dusty scholarship", said The Telegraph, they're now "on the front lines" of the culture wars, "grappling with the most modern dilemmas" from "consent and ableism" to "looted artefacts and how to separate the art from the artist".

Read the full article in The Week.

We are all looking forward to a new chapter for the British Museum under the direction of Director Dr Nicholas Cullinan and there is hope for a brighter future.  Here's to a museum that embraces the future with moral and ethical values that best represent the twenty first century as it takes on a new vision with regards to cultural co-operation. And for those at BCRPM, here's to the reunification of the Parthenon Marbles as a sign of respect for the Parthenon, which still stands and crowns the ancient and modern city of Athens, Greece.

 

 

 

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Parliament speaker Constantine Tassoulas has been nominated for the Greek presidency.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis nominated parliament speaker Constantine Tassoulas from his centre-right New Democracy party for the Greek presidency.

Other prominent figures, including Bank of Greece Governor Yannis Stournaras and former prime ministers Lucas Papademos and Evangelos Venizelos, had also been considered.

Tassoulas, a lawyer, served as Culture Minister a decade ago and accompanied Mrs Clooney to the Acropolis Museum during her visit to Athens as the international awareness of the campaign received a boost with the support of both Mr and Mrs Clooney.

The Greek presidency is largely ceremonial, with the president elected to a five-year term by the country’s 300 lawmakers through a process that may require up to five rounds of voting. Victory in the first or second round requires 200 votes, decreasing to 180 in the third round and a simple parliamentary majority of 151 in the fourth.

The New Democracy party currently holds 156 seats, with the centre-left PASOK controlling 31 and the left-wing SYRIZA holding 26. 

The first round of voting is scheduled for 25 January with opposition parties not expected to support Tassoulas' candidacy. A fourth-round vote requiring a simple majority is anticipated by 12 February. 

President of Hellenic Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, was the country's first female president and her five-year term expires in March.

More on this in Reuters, The Independent and ekathimerini.

 
 
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  1. The day when the Parthenon Marbles will be reunited in Athens, is approaching, states Alberto Samona
  2. "Returning an object is not simply a matter of putting it in the post as if it had been ordered from eBay", writes Professor Abulafia
  3. The need to change historic legislation for the British Museum in order to facilitate the return of cultural heritage to their country of origin
  4. Greece's optimistic outlook as 2025 should see the Parthenon Marbles reunited in Athens
  5. Rethinking the British Museum, the redevelopment of the Western Range

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