Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Brit Museum Refuses to Lose Its Marbles

Museum refuses to sanction Elgin's deeds

By Amelia Atlas,  Newser User

Posted Jun 14, 2009 2:20 PM CDT
Email

(Newser) – Tension between Greek and British museum officials over ownership of the famous Elgin marbles bubbled over this week, reports the Guardian. With the New Acropolis Museum set to open in Athens, Greece is refusing to accede to British terms concerning the loan of the classical treasure. The British Museum offered a 3-4 month loan and an acknowledgment of their ownership, as is traditional for museum loans.

The Athenian culture minister, however, insisted that not only was this not enough time, but that acknowledging ownership would be equivalent to sanctioning their theft. "[A]greeing to the condition [of ownership] would be like sanctifying Elgin's deeds and legitimizing the theft of the marbles...No Greek government could accept that," he said. Top British officials, including the Queen, have declined to attend the museum's opening.

Workers set cobblestones on a pedestrian street outside the New Acropolis Museum in Athens, Greece, on Wednesday, May 20, 2009, a month before the official opening of the grandiose building.
Workers set cobblestones on a pedestrian street outside the New Acropolis Museum in Athens, Greece, on Wednesday, May 20, 2009, a month before the official opening of the grandiose building.   (AP Photo/ Petros Giannakouris)
Ancient bronze vessels and other items repatriated from Germany, Belgium and Britain in Athens. Authorities have stepped up repatriation efforts ahead of the New Acropolis Museum opening.
Ancient bronze vessels and other items repatriated from Germany, Belgium and Britain in Athens. Authorities have stepped up repatriation efforts ahead of the New Acropolis Museum opening.   (AP Photo)
Culture Minister Andonis Samaras speaks in Athens on May 20, 2009. Greece hopes to house ancient cultural artifacts such as the Elgin Marbles, which were taken to other countries in times gone by.
Culture Minister Andonis Samaras speaks in Athens on May 20, 2009. Greece hopes to house ancient cultural artifacts such as the Elgin Marbles, which were taken to other countries in times gone by.   (AP Photo/ Petros Giannakouris)
Workers and archaeologists are silhouetted against the ancient Parthenon temple, in the New Acropolis Museum in Athens, Greece, on Tuesday Sept. 16, 2008.
Workers and archaeologists are silhouetted against the ancient Parthenon temple, in the New Acropolis Museum in Athens, Greece, on Tuesday Sept. 16, 2008.   (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
A view of the Acropolis in Athens.
A view of the Acropolis in Athens.   (©darkensiva)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

It is clear from Mr Samaras's statement that he does not recognise the British Museum's legal ownership of the sculptures in our collection, which makes any meaningful discussion on loans virtually impossible. - Hannah Boulton, British Museum

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
kokuaguy
Jun 15, 2009 8:59 AM CDT
Mahalo, Tim. I'm going to Google for more info.
lindamae
Jun 15, 2009 4:03 AM CDT
These marbles were slated to be destroyed in order to build new roads, I read. If so, the Greeks should be thankful Elgin took the initiative to buy them, house them and finally convince the British Museum to take them into their hands. He is to be applauded.
Timinator2K
Jun 15, 2009 1:33 AM CDT
Imagine that! Countries legitimately requesting that their national and cultural treasures to be returned...makes Merry Old England seem like the cultural thieves they are...along with all other nations who have plundered to stock their museums. For the record, Lord Elgin bought the Parthenon friezes fair and square...from the Turks who happened to occupy Greece at the time...and the Greeks were none to happy about the transaction with a third conquering party.

Who owns historical treasures?
Forbes

 
Greece • British Museum • Acropolis • Elgin marbles

More Newser Stories

Eurozone Economy Shrinks

Talks Falter as Greece Warns: We Can't Take Any More Cuts

Greeks Clean Up a Smoldering Athens

Greece OKs Austerity Bill Amid Rioting

Greek Workers Strike Over Austerity
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne