As the British Museum looks to reimaging itself as a 'lending library', what is to be the next chapter for the Parthenon Marbles?

Museums as 'lending libraries' is not a bad idea as cultural mobility will ensure that artefacts are seen by those that cannot travel (so long as the countries whose artefacts are being lent are happy for them to travel around the globe). With an estimated 70–80% of the world's population not travelling outside their home country, this would make museum's cultural artefacts accessible by billions. Will this help the British Museum become more universal? Probably. 

On the flip side listening to Zeynep Boz talking about the UK and the BM's claim that the Parthenon Marbles were 'legally acquired by the laws of the time', one asks if it isn't time to recognise Greece's ask as one that is wholly justified. There is no bill of sale from the Ottomans and Elgin's acquisition remains not questionable but debunked.

Is it time to amend the Museums Act, UK House of Coomons, House of Lords, DCMS? Is it time to recognise that Greece has not been asking for anything more and that they are not wanting to denude any Western Museum, not least the British Museum.

The importance of the reunification of the Parthenon Marbles remains key to the holistic understanding of the Parthenon, a unique building which has withstood millennia of history and still stands, crowning the Acropolis, Athens' Sacred Hill. As great symbols of global cultural heritage, should independent Greece not be given the opportunity of showcase this peerless collection of sculptures in the superlative Acropolis Museum? Should the sculptures be deemed fit to travel far and wide, should Greece not be the nation that makes that decision about where they go? Is this about twenty-first cultural co-operation, power sharing when it comes to cultural artefacts whose significance matters globally or is this about a new form of cultural superiority for one nation over another?

As we look to a fairer society in an ever shrinking globe with a rising population, what is the best way to view and understand the cultures of other nations and why will that help promote greater empathy and understanding globally.

All BCRPM members would add that return and restitution cases deserve consideration 'on a case by case basis'.

The British Museum states that it cannot 'give Greece the Parthenon Marbles' back, it can only lend them, as the new Director, Dr Nicholas Cullinan also confirms in today's Independent article. These sculptures were forcibly removed when Greece had no voice and now Türkiye has added her voice to the reunification by emphasising the lack of official permission in the early 19th century by then Ottoman rulers for these sculptures to be removed.

It is up to this new UK Government under the leadership of Sir Keir Starmer, supported by Lisa Nandy as Secretary for Culture, Media and Sport to consider the possibility of doing the right thing and amending the Museum Act? Such an amendment would allow these sculptures to begin their newest chapter. They could be reunited, respectfully with their surviving halves, in the Acropolis Museum, with views to the Parthenon. 

We continue to hope, especially as we are reminded the Labour Party as the governing party of the United Kingdom, having won the July 2024 general election, is currently the largest political party by number of votes cast and number of seats in the House of Commons. Plus their mission statement would and could apply to finding a lasting solution to the plight of the divided Parthenon

Marbles too:

Opening of the ancient city beneath the Acropolis Museum, the inauguration of the "Excavated Museum" by H.E. the President of the Hellenic Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou.

This inauguration took place on Tuesday 25 June 2024 by the southern outskirts of the Museum's excavation site, the ancient city beneath the Acropolis Museum. It is here that an innovative environment has been created showcasing 1,150 objects, out of the thousands left behind by those that inhabited the area for more than 4,500 years.

The "Excavated Museum" is open to the public from Wednesday, 26 June 2024. The implementation of this new exhibition space was carried out with the support of the Bank of Greece.

“Over the past 15 years, it has become abundantly clear that the British Museum’s argument no longer holds,” Culture Minister, Lina Mendoni is quoted as saying in iefimerida. “The seamless integration of the Acropolis Museum with the rock and monuments of the Acropolis, its harmonious coexistence with both ancient and modern elements, and its role as an ideal setting for showcasing the masterpieces all contribute to its suitability for hosting the entirety of the Parthenon Sculptures that survive today.”

You can also read the speeches made by: Minister Lina Mendoni, the Governor of the Bank of Greece, Yiannis Stournaras and Director of the Acropolis Museum, Professor Stambolidis.

Photo credit: Studio Panoulis

A BCRPM letter was delivered to Nicholas Cullinan, the British Museum's new Director on 15 June by BCRPM campaigners and friends. The choice of the 15th was significant as this June, the Acropolis Museum celebrated its 15th anniversary.

Alexandros and David were inspired to cover the remonstration at the British Museum as this cause is very close to both their hearts, and  they were with us also in 2022. We look forward to their continued involvement with the movement going forward.

Below a link to the video that Alexandros and David artfully put together. It features interviews with Dame Janet Suzman and Victoria Hislop and a narrative of the events by Alexandros.  

"This campaign is contingent on public awareness, which in turn is raised through high-profile endorsements and large amounts of content being created on the topic. With this in mind, David and I are very excited to also submit a review on the current debate surrounding the campaign to reunify the Parthenon Marbles." wrote Alexandros post the 15th of June.

Watch: Talking Parthenon Marbles with Dame Janet Suzman and Victoria Hislop.

Alexandros Lees: Alexandros is a British-Greek lawyer who first studied the Parthenon Marbles during his Law degree at the London School of Economics. Alexandros’ Greek heritage, legal training, and interest in cultural property give him a unique passion for repatriation.

David Pinto: David Pinto is a Franco-American journalist, documentarian, and presidential campaign aide. A recent alum of Brown University, he earned a double bachelors degree in History and Film Studies. As a specialist in both international affairs and ancient history, David uses filmmaking to cover cultural property disputes.

Next steps: Alexandros and David are currently writing a thinkpiece on the prospects of repatriation, focussing on the effects of a Labour Government, increasing international support for repatriation, and growing public awareness of the cause. The article will feature interviews with prominent figures involved in the debate.

The UK General Election will take place on 4 July 2024 and whichever party you decide to vote for, we'd like to ask you to consider writing to your constituency MP.

BCRPM has been campaigning for the reunification of the Parthenon Marbles since 1983 and if you wish to add your voice to the plight of the divided Parthenon Marbles/Sculptures we would be grateful.

We've drafted a letter which you can use as a template. Feel free to add anything that you also feel might make your MP understand that amending the Museum Act to allow these sculptures to be reunited with their other halves in the Acropolis Museum would make a great difference.

To download the letter, click the link here.

We thank you. 

At 11 a.m. Saturday,15th June, members of the British Committee for the Reunification of the Parthenon Marbles, Janet Suzman, Chair of BCRM joined author Victoria Hislop and Stuart O’Hara, together with members of the Greek community led by George Gabriel, at the British Museum to welcome its new Director, Dr Nicholas Cullinan to make their case, and mark the 15th anniversary of the Acropolis Museum.

Their request for an urgent meeting with Dr Cullinan to discuss the fate of the Marbles, will be one of the first to hit the new Director's desk. To read the letter, follow the link here.

George Gabriel, BCRPM Committee Member said, “Elgin's excuse for not producing written authorisation for the removal of the Marbles never amounted to much more than “my mate kindly translated my homework into Italian before my dog ate it”.

The Turkish authorities have now put the final nail in the coffin of the argument that these treasures were taken lawfully. Listen to the web recording of the 24th session of UNESCO’s ICPRCP held in Paris.

We hope the British Museum's new leadership will embrace this moment and put right this historic wrong. Reunifying the Parthenon Marbles would restore the Museum's standing as a moral leader in the protection of our shared human heritage.” 

Author Victoria Hislop, also a member of BCRPM, said, “We are delighted to extend our warm welcome and congratulations to Dr Cullinan following his appointment as Director of the British Museum.

We come with an urgent request for a meeting following the Turkish announcement. 

We have never been closer to seeing this incredible work of art reunified and it is our solemn hope that Dr Cullinan can join Museum Chair George Osborne in the history books as the men who helped make it happen.”

Photo credits to: Thomas Primidis, Alexander Lees, David Pinto, ERT and Hellenic TV.