‘Paving the way’: Italy to return a piece of the Parthenon frieze to Greece

·

ArtNet has today reported that Italy will return a piece of the Parthenon Frieze to Greece, after it was on loan as part of a cultural exchange. 

Journalists were told of the deal at a November 30 meeting of the Greek Ministry of Culture and Sports’ Central Archaeological Council.

According to a statement from the Ministry, the fragment from stone VI on the eastern frieze of the Parthenon, can currently be seen at the Museo Archeologico Antonio Salinas in Palermo, Sicily.

READ MORE: Greek PM reiterates call for return of Parthenon Marbles as British public opinion shows support.

Greek Minister of Culture and Sports, Lina Mendoni, has welcomed the news.

Under conditions dictated by Italian law, the piece will travel back to Greece on a four-year loan from December 2021, with the possibility of extension for another four years after that.

“This fragment is permanently exhibited in the Museum of Palermo and is the first time that its long-term borrowing in Greece is agreed,” the Minister of Culture and Sports, Lina Mendoni, said.

“This is a process that started a year ago, involving a series of negotiations between the Greek and Italian sides. This development may pave the way for the final return of the fragment to its place of birth…”

READ MORE: Delphi Bank launches petition for return of the Parthenon marbles.

In return for the loan, the Acropolis Museum will send the Palermo institution a headless statue of the goddess Athena.

After four years, this will be replaced by a protogeometric vase to match the period of time the Parthenon fragment will be on loan in Greece.

A similar deal was offered by Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, to UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, in November as a means to facilitate the return of the Parthenon Marbles from the British Museum. Johnson rejected the demands of his Greek counterpart.

READ MORE: UK PM rebuffs Greek PM’s demand for talks on Parthenon marbles.

Source: ArtNet.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

George Halkias honoured at 2025 HESTA Excellence Awards

George Halkias, co-founder of The Big Issue Community Street Soccer Program, has been recognised at the 2025 HESTA Excellence Awards.

Greece abolishes ATM withdrawal fees

From Monday, August 11, banks in Greece will no longer charge fees for cash withdrawals from ATMs operated by Greek lenders.

Greece signals possible extension of North Africa asylum suspensions

Greece may extend its recently introduced suspension on processing asylum applications from migrants arriving by sea from North Africa.

Four Greek Australians charged over alleged multi-million dollar bond scam

Dimitrios (James) Podaridis, Peter Delis, Bassilios (Bill) Floropoulos, and Harry Tsalikidis have been charged with money laundering.

Former Greek PM Antonis Samaras’ daughter dies suddenly aged 34

Lena Samaras, the daughter of former Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, has died suddenly after suffering a cardiac arrest.

You May Also Like

Greek monastery manuscripts looted in WWI rediscovered in US office renovation

Three Greek-language manuscripts, believed to have been stolen from Kosinitza monastery during WWI, were recently rediscovered in Manhattan.

Public invited to honour Greek-Australian bonds at key ANZAC events in Sydney

Sydney’s Greeks are invited to take part in two ceremonies this week that pay tribute to the enduring ties between Greece and Australia.

‘Girls in the Shadow’: GCM adult group presents new theatrical comedy

Creative Drama & Arts Centre of the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) is back this year with the comedy, 'Girls in the Shadow'.