Italy returns Parthenon fragment to Athens in nudge to UK

·

An Italian museum is lending a fragment of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece, in what both sides hope will become a permanent return that might encourage the British Museum to send their own pieces of the works back too.

Sicily’s A. Salinas Archaeological Museum has signed an agreement with the Acropolis Museum in Athens for a once-renewable, four-year loan of a fragment it has from stone VI on the eastern frieze of the Parthenon.

The fragment will be exchanged for a loan of a marble statue of Athena and a protogeometric vase.

READ MORE: Fragments of the Parthenon Marbles reunited in the Acropolis Museum.

“The return to Athens of this important artefact of the Parthenon goes in the direction of building a Europe of culture that has its roots in our history and in our identity,” Sicily’s councillor for cultural heritage and identity, Alberto Samonà, said.

In a statement, the museum said the ultimate aim was the “indefinite return” of the fragment to Athens.

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

Italy’s fragment has been loaned to Athens in the past, but for short periods of time. Sicily’s regional authorities have initiated talks with the Greek Culture Ministry to make the loan permanent, putting it on the agenda of a ministry committee that handles such returns, the statement said.

Photo: Archeological Museum Antonino Salinas via AP.

The statement quoted Greek authorities as praising the initiative in the hope that it encourages the British Museum to return its sculptures, which were taken from the Parthenon by Lord Elgin, the British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, in the early 19th century.

Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, offered a similar loan deal to UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, in November last year, 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: AP News.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

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

Advertisement

Latest News

Melbourne stage comes alive with innovative theatrical tribute ‘Alexander’s Journey’

An audience that filled every seat at the Clocktower Centre on 29 June was treated to Alexander’s Journey.

New Committee elected as NUGAS Victoria charts vision for youth and culture in 2025–26

On 26 May the Victorian branch of the National Union of Greek Australian Students held its Annual General Meeting to elect a new committee.

Gold Coast driver Alexander Vadeikis faces court over fatal street race

Gold Coast man Alexander James Vadeikis, 21, has faced court after being hit with upgraded charges over a deadly alleged street race.

Moray & Agnew named finalist in the Australian Law Awards

Moray & Agnew has been named as a finalist in the Lawyers Weekly Australian Law Awards for three categories.

Professor Andreas Evdokiou steps down after a decade leading Cyprus Community of SA

Professor Andreas Evdokiou has stepped down from his role as President of the Cyprus Community of South Australia after ten years.

You May Also Like

Year 12 Chinese student excels in HSC Modern Greek Beginners

Year 12 Chinese student Justin Chow excelled in HSC Modern Greek Beginners this year, received a Band 6. Read more here.

Bill Papastergiadis meets acting Immigration Minister to discuss Budget impacts on multicultural communities

Papastergiadis raised a number of questions to the Minister, including how the government would aid families in Australia who intend to connect with family members abroad.

Ange Postecoglou leads Celtic FC to historic treble

Ange Postecoglou led Celtic to a domestic treble on Saturday after his team beat Inverness Caledonian Thistle 3-1 in the Scottish Cup final.