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| Statuary from the east pediment of the Parthenon. Part of the collection of Parthenon Marbles on display at the British Museum in London [Credit: WikiCommons] |
“It is the same question with the Elgin marbles,” Cameron said, referring to the classical Greek marble sculptures currently on display at the British Museum in London.
Greece has long campaigned for the marbles, which are part of the Parthenon temple on the Acropolis and which were removed by Lord Elgin during Ottoman rule, to be returned to their rightful place.
“The right answer is for the British Museum and other cultural institutions to do exactly what they do, which is to link up with other institutions around the world to make sure that the things which we have and look after so well are properly shared with people around the world,” Cameron said.
The Koh-i-noor diamond is set in the crown of the late Queen Mother and is on display with the Crown Jewels in the Tower of London. It was presented to Queen Victoria in 1850 under the Empire's rule. India has made repeated requests for its return.
The Greek reply
“The different approach and understanding about the issue of the Parthenon Marbles between Greece and the United Kingdom is well known. As far as Greece is concerned, there is nothing more to be added on this issue, except that: The repatriation of the Marbles and their material reconnection with the land where civilization was born and developed was and will remain a steadfast national position of Greece”.
This is what Deputy Minister of Education and Religious Affairs, Culture and Sports Kostas Tzavaras said in response to the statements of British Prime Minister David Cameron concerning the Parthenon Marbles.
Source: Ekathimerini & Archaiologia [February 21, 2013]
