“UK PM rejects returning Parthenon marbles to Greece; meeting canceled, diplomatic tension ensues.”
The UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, asserts that Britain has no plans to return the Parthenon marble sculptures to Greece. These ancient artifacts, removed controversially from the Athens temple by Lord Elgin in the early 19th century, are deemed the property of the British Museum according to British law.
For years, Greece has fervently pursued the return of these 2,500-year-old relics, claiming they were unlawfully taken. However, the UK contends that Lord Elgin obtained the sculptures legally from Ottoman officials who held power in Greece at the time, thereby establishing the British Museum’s legal ownership of the artifacts.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed disappointment as UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak canceled a scheduled meeting. The planned discussions encompassed various crucial matters, notably the restitution of the Parthenon sculptures, alongside pressing global issues like conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, climate change, and migration.
The Parthenon marbles, a subject of dispute between Greece and the UK, remain a focal point in cultural heritage conversations. Greece seeks their repatriation, asserting their historical and cultural significance, while the British Museum upholds its legal right to retain the sculptures. The disagreement underscores a broader debate about the rightful ownership and preservation of cultural heritage worldwide.
