Greek PM: deal to return Parthenon marbles could still be reached with ‘political will and courage’
Summary
The Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said a deal to return the Parthenon marbles to Greece is still possible with strong political effort, but Greece will not accept a temporary loan like the Bayeux tapestry from France. He emphasized that Greece wants the marbles permanently reunited in Athens, not just borrowed.Key Facts
- Greece wants the Parthenon marbles permanently returned, not loaned temporarily.
- The British Museum has the marbles, but Greece objects to recognizing British ownership.
- The Bayeux tapestry was loaned for 10 months to the British Museum from France, but Greece says the marbles situation is different.
- The Parthenon marbles were taken by Lord Elgin from Athens over 200 years ago under controversial circumstances.
- Talks between the British Museum and Greece are ongoing but face major challenges.
- The British Museum Act 1963 forbids the museum from permanently giving away objects from its collection.
- Kyriakos Mitsotakis suggests a full reunion of the marbles could lead to a lasting cultural partnership between Greece and the UK.
- Some British figures, like Andy Burnham, have shown support for returning the marbles in the past, but the museum states it remains open to negotiations without changing the law.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
