Prime ministers and ministers of culture from around the world, along with the president of Unesco, gathered in Athens to witness the opening of the €130 million (£110 million) glass and concrete building a few hundred yards from the foot of the Parthenon.
However, there was a conspicuous absence of British and European Union senior ministers who had been invited to the opening of the building that Greece's culture minister said is the physical embodiment of a campaign dating back to 1983 to secure the return of the Parthenon marbles from the British Museum
"The British said we don't deserve the Parthenon sculptures because we have nowhere to put them," Mr Samaras told the foreign press. "Now, though, we have one of the best museums in the world."
Last week Mr Samaras dismissed an offer by the British Museum, which claims ownership of the Parthenon, or Elgin marbles, to lend them to Greece for three months on condition that Greece recognised the British Museum as legal owner.
(The Marbles)
Its beautiful but how did they acquire it? and from whom did they get it from?
It is very beautiful, its even more stunning when you see it close up and within touching distance.
You can see such works of art for free at the British Museum in which millions around the world do see every year. There is no case for Greece imo.
The Turks controlled Greece back in the colonial days, an ambassador to the Ottoman Court 'Lord Elgin' bought it from the turks with their permission and years later the British Museum bought in 1816 from Lord Elgin and protected it. There is no guarantee that the marbles wouldn't have been destroyed under the times of war between Greece and Turkey
It is legally ours and no amount of "pressure" should make us give it up.
That does make sense.
You don't control it, it isn't yours.
I have to make a trip to the U.K. sooner or later.
Not mine personally obviously [I do wish i did have such work of art tho but i am not so lucky]
I mean property of the British Museum and because it is state owned, property of the UK.
Legally but Morally? plenty of art that was stolen from jews,that then went through legal sales has been returned by owners who had morals.It is very beautiful, its even more stunning when you see it close up and within touching distance.
You can see such works of art for free at the British Museum in which millions around the world do see every year. There is no case for Greece imo.
The Turks controlled Greece back in the colonial days, an ambassador to the Ottoman Court 'Lord Elgin' bought it from the turks with their permission and years later the British Museum brought in 1816 from Lord Elgin and protected it. There is no guarantee that the marbles wouldn't have been destroyed under the times of war between Greece and Turkey
It is legally ours and no amount of "pressure" should make us give it up.
Legally but Morally? plenty of art that was stolen from jews,that then went through legal sales has been returned by owners who had morals.
Free Museums do you pay tax?
From the Greeks?Obviously ... do you? :roll:
Screw morals, it is our legal stance that matters in this world. What is Greece going to do? Take us to court?
When did we steal it?
Don't try and bring up external cases for this one. UK stole none of these marbles, we bought and purchased them fair and square.
From the Greeks?
Lawyers for the museum argue that the case of art looted by the Nazis is highly exceptional and would not create a precedent.
Who were they bought from?We now stole them from the Greeks?
Hilarious, when did this occur? When did UK go to Greece and steal these marbles hmm?
Rewriting History is fun :doh
Who were they bought from?
who did Elgin obtain them fromLord Elgin - Ambassador
who did Elgin obtain them from
the ottomans invaded greece, and then became there colonial master till 1821, to the victors go the spoils of war, to elgin the profitsThe Turks controlled Greece back in the colonial days, an ambassador to the Ottoman Court 'Lord Elgin' bought it from the turks with their permission and years later the British Museum bought in 1816 from Lord Elgin and protected it.
who gained them byFrom the Turks ...
Make your point.
It has nothing to do with British culture.It is legally ours and no amount of "pressure" should make us give it up.
It has nothing to do with British culture.
Why would you give it so much value?
the ottomans invaded greece, and then became there colonial master till 1821, to the victors go the spoils of war, to elgin the profits
who gained them by
Make your point.
They don't have a claim to it based on 'moral grounds' but rather on historic and cultural grounds.Imagine if a country can just say 'we want this priceless art back because we have moral ground not legal'. Absolute BS. That is not how it works.
They don't have a claim to it based on 'moral grounds' but rather on historic and cultural grounds.
Your cause makes sense but I feel like I could relate more to the Greek cause.
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