Entire rooms just for them. At the British Museum in London, the Parthenon friezes are proudly displayed. A treat for visitors… but also an object of tension. Because Greece has been demanding the restitution of these remains of the famous temple of Athens for a very long time. This Tuesday in London, the British and Greek Prime Ministers are discussing a subject that regularly undermines their relations.
For what result? The affair is to be continued but has therefore lasted for at least four decades. Under the leadership of the former Minister of Culture, the singer and actress Melina Mercouri, Athens demanded in 1983 the return of these precious friezes, 75 meters long and detached from the Parthenon. The Greek authorities maintain that they were the object of a “looting” orchestrated in 1802 by Lord Elgin, British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire.
But London claims for its part that the sculptures were “legally acquired” by Lord Elgin, who sold them to the British Museum. A British law from 1963 also prevents the museum from making restitutions… According to a 2023 YouGov survey, a majority of British people are even in favor of restitution. But opponents fear a domino effect which would see the demands of several countries pile up.
So, will London return the remains? Lend them long term? The British Prime Ministers will perhaps decide this Tuesday. Athens displays its confidence. “I am firmly convinced that the friezes will be returned. Discussions with the British Museum are continuing,” assured the head of the Greek government Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Saturday on the ANT1 television channel.
London “will not stand in the way”, says Greece
These negotiations to try to find a solution to a historic dispute which has poisoned bilateral relations for more than fifty years “do not concern the British government, but the British Museum”, he insisted.
The British authorities assured that the government's position on the marbles had not changed and that they remained the responsibility of the British Museum. A position confirmed this afternoon. London “will not obstruct” the return of ancient remains “if there is an agreement between Athens and the British Museum,” assured a Greek government source on Tuesday, following the famous meeting between leaders.
Greece is determined to recover its heritage. The new Acropolis Museum, inaugurated in 2009, has reserved a space to house the friezes of the Parthenon on the upper floor of the building where the four sides of the temple are recreated in real size. The friezes exhibited in London have been replaced by casts.
