Turkey denies UK claim Lord Elgin was allowed to take Parthenon Marbles

·

Greece has found an ally in the form of Turkey’s representative at a UNESCO conference in its campaign for the return of the Parthenon Marbles.

According to Tornos News, Zeynep Boz, who heads the Turkish Culture Ministry’s department for combating trafficking in antiquities, denied Scottish diplomat Lord Elgin had permission from the then-ruling Ottoman Empire to rip the Parthenon Marbles off the Acropolis of Athens, Greece.

Ms Boz said Turkey was not aware of any Ottoman-era document legitimising the removal and sale of the Parthenon Sculptures to Lord Elgin, “so I do not think there is any room to discuss its legality even (…) according to the law of the time.”

“We eagerly look forward to celebrating the return of the Sculptures, as we believe that it will signal a change in behaviour towards the protection of cultural goods and will be the strongest message to be given worldwide,” Ms Boz added.

parthenon marbles
The Parthenon Marbles on display at the British Museum. Photo: AP

Lord Elgin said he had obtained permission in a firman, a decree, to take the Parthenon Marbles early in the 19th century. The document, translated into Italian by the British Embassy in Constantinople at the time, is now in the hands of the British Museum, which uses it to claim ownership of the marbles purchased from Elgin when he got into financial trouble.

But no official copy of it has yet been found in the Turkish government archives from the imperial era and debate continues to this day over the legal status of the document. Greece insists the marbles were stolen and Turkey had no right in any case to give away property it didn’t own.

Commenting on the conclusion of the UNESCO session from the Greek island of Rhodes, Greece’s Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said “there was never an Ottoman firman (decree) which allowed Elgin to treat the Parthenon Sculptures with such brutality.” Mendoni added that the Turkish delegate attending the session confirmed Greece’s long-standing argument.

Source: Tornos News

Cretan Convention - Web Banner

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

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

Advertisement

Latest News

Konstantinos Argiros meets NSW Premier after sold-out Opera House performances

At NSW Parliament on Friday, Premier Chris Minns and Ministers Courtney Houssos and Sophie Cotsis welcomed Konstantinos Argiros.

Accused Easey St killer Perry Kouroumblis previously gave police an alibi, court hears

Accused Easey Street killer Perry Kouroumblis has told police he was with a friend on the night two women were brutally stabbed in 1977.

Snowtown killer James Vlassakis’ parole review to be heard in private

The parole review of Snowtown murderer James Spyridon Vlassakis will be conducted in private. Read more here.

Australian Championship, Movember launch $500k fundraising initiative for men’s health

The Australian Championship and Movember have launched a new fundraising initiative to change the face of men’s health.

Greece launches €2.5 billion plan to secure water supply amid drought threat

Greece has unveiled a €2.5 billion national plan to confront growing water scarcity and safeguard supplies for the coming decades.

You May Also Like

Oakleigh Grammar students shine in Certificate of Attainment in Greek

Oakleigh Grammar has celebrated the outstanding success of 12 students who undertook the Certificate of Attainment in Greek examinations. 

‘No concession at all’: Cumberland Mayor, Steve Christou, slams lockdown rules

Cumberland Council Mayor, Steve Christou, said the minor change to allow two-hour family picnics in his community is “no concession at all."

VIDEO: Zakynthos community create giant crocheted Christmas tree

Zakynthos spread Christmas cheer in a community project that involved piecing together a number of crochet squares to make up a large Christmas tree.