UNESCO puts pressure on UK to hold talks with Greece over Parthenon Marbles

·

In a potentially game-changing development in Athens’ near 40-year campaign to repatriate the Parthenon Marbles, currently exhibited at the British Museum, a UNESCO committee has issued a decision urging the United Kingdom to enter into talks with Greece over the dispute.

Sources told Ekathimerini the decision by the “Return and Restitution” intergovernmental committee, also known as ICPRCP, at its session in Paris late September “shook” British officials as it effectively elevated the dispute between Greece and the London-based institution into a government-to-government issue.

The decision marks a shift in ICPRCP policy, which had over the past 34 years issued 17 recommendations.

The Parthenon Marbles currently reside in the British Museum.

Speaking to Ekathimerini, a spokesperson for the British Museum did not directly comment on the development.

“Museums holding Greek works… are naturally united to show the importance of the legacy of ancient Greece,” the spokesperson said, adding that the institution “is committed to playing its full part in sharing the value of that legacy.”

“The trustees want to strengthen existing good relations with colleagues and institutions in Greece, and to explore collaborative ventures directly between institutions, not on a government-to-government basis,” the spokesperson said. 

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

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

Advertisement

Latest News

How younger Greek Australians are redefining mental health conversations

Conversations once hidden in the shadows are now in the spotlight, bringing mental health to the forefront.

NSW urged to act on worsening elder abuse crisis

A new report from Relationships Australia NSW (RANSW) reveals that 15% of elderly Australians are currently experiencing abuse.

More civil war-era mass graves found beneath Greek city park

Another grim discovery has surfaced in Greece, where 14 bodies believed to be victims of civil war-era executions have been unearthed.

Restored classic ‘Boy on a Dolphin’ returns to Greek cinemas after 70 years

Long before Greece became a go-to backdrop for global cinema, one film forever changed how the world saw it — Boy on a Dolphin.

Greece to introduce harsher penalties for dangerous driving under revised highway code

Parliament is expected to approve a revised Highway Code (ΚΟΚ) on Tuesday, introducing tougher penalties for traffic violations.

You May Also Like

Manolis Mikromanolis: “We protected Italians who found themselves persecuted by the Nazis”

Manolis Mikromanolis, born in Rhodes in 1940, remembers his childhood memories after the Germans took full control of the island.

Ambassador of China to Greece works with Health Minister cease coronavirus spread to Greece

Greek Health Minister Vassilis Kikilias recently held an emergency meeting with the Ambassador of China to Greece, Zhang Qiyue, and with infectious disease specialists...

NSW politician urges government to expand education curriculum to include Greek genocide

Member for Wagga Wagga, Dr Joe McGirr MP, has urged the NSW Government to expand education curriculum to include Greek genocide.