The push for the return of the Parthenon Marbles from the British Museum to Athens has gained significant momentum, according to the Italian news agency Ansa.
The renewed international dialogue is partly attributed to Italy, especially Sicily, which played a key role in 2022 by returning the Fagan Fragment, a piece of the Parthenon’s eastern frieze, to Greece.
The fragment, previously held in the Salinas Museum in Palermo, was returned through direct negotiations between Greek Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni, Acropolis Museum Director Nikolaos Stampolidis, and the Salinas Museum’s then-director Caterina Greco.
Alberto Samonà, former cultural heritage adviser to the Sicilian regional government, who spearheaded the return of the fragment, expressed confidence in the future return of the Parthenon Marbles.
“The day when the Parthenon Sculptures will finally return to Athens is approaching,” he said.
“Thanks to our initiative, the international conversation about returning the sculptures has gained new momentum.”
Samonà emphasised the importance of international cooperation in cultural matters, stating, “The path we must follow, in a world full of conflicts and divisions, is precisely international cooperation and partnership in the name of culture, which always carries a message of dialogue and peace.”
Source: Orthodox Times.
