Greeks all over the world and friends of true civilisation are angry at the refusal of the British museum to return the Parthenon Marbles (referred to by some as the Elgin Marbles) back to where they belong. The completion of the brand new museum below the Acropolis of Athens demolishes the last argument used by the Brigadier Trolley type of British museum curators who argued that the marbles would be damaged if they were returned.
The British government should remind he museum curators that the marbles were stolen when Greece was under occupation by the Ottomans. So imagine if Britain was occupied by the Germans in 1945 and the Nazis removed the crown jewels. Would the Berlin curators have a valid argument to keep the British treasures? The answer is no! The British government needs to remind the curators that more than a million Greeks were killed in the two world wars fighting on the side of the allies and ensuring that Britain was not invaded like Greece was when the marbles were stolen!
Do the right thing and return the marbles back! Forget your imperialist past and move forward!
Nick Venedi
You're absolutely right Nick, the marbles were taken when Athens was under occupation. Lord Elgin was criticised at the time for being a looter. Britain does deserve a bit of thanks for keeping the Marbles probably safer than they would have been if they had still been there during the Greek War of Independence but if they are returned to Athens, they will be safe. Now a museum has opened that can house the Marbles properly, it's time to give them back.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the Greek authorities can swap the Marbles for the copies they have produced already. Sounds fair to me.
I would imagine that Unison and the whole of the TUC would support a campaign to return the marbles and other treasurers stolen from other countries?
ReplyDeleteKat
Dear DM Andy at 20.42
ReplyDeleteThe Greek nation would be happy to have them back whatever the reason for their return.
Thanks for your comment
Nick
Anon at 18.45
ReplyDeleteI don't know what the TUC policy is on this but would imagine they would support a campaign to return them back, they were, after all, stolen. I shall write to those in 'power'
Nick