Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


 MUSEUM REVIEW 
2

Parthenon Gets the Museum It Deserves

Share

(Newser) – The Parthenon has been called the one “absolutely right” building on the planet, and it now has a fitting memorial, Christopher Hitchens writes in Vanity Fair. Hitchens is among the first to visit the new Acropolis Museum in Athens, and it does not disappoint. Artifacts, expert reproductions, and a stunning view of the Parthenon are key. The one problem is what isn’t there.

Half of a central frieze is in London, the victim of colonial looting. But though “the British may continue in their constipated fashion to cling to what they have so crudely amputated,” Hitchens writes, other European nations “have seen the artistic point of re-unification and restored to Athens what was looted.” For now it’s good enough, “and one day, surely, there will be an agreement to do the right thing by the world’s most ‘right’ structure.”

The New Acropolis Museum in Athens, Greece.
The New Acropolis Museum in Athens, Greece.   (AP Photo)
A woman walks past copies of the 2,500-year-old Parthenon frieze sculptures in the New Acropolis Museum in Athens.
A woman walks past copies of the 2,500-year-old Parthenon frieze sculptures in the New Acropolis Museum in Athens.   (AP Photo)
A tiny fragment from the 2,500-year-old sculptured decoration of the Parthenon Temple on the ancient Acropolis, returned by the Vatican.
A tiny fragment from the 2,500-year-old sculptured decoration of the Parthenon Temple on the ancient Acropolis, returned by the Vatican.   (AP Photo)
Workers and archaeologists are silhouetted against the ancient Parthenon temple in the New Acropolis Museum in Athens, Greece.
Workers and archaeologists are silhouetted against the ancient Parthenon temple in the New Acropolis Museum in Athens, Greece.   (AP Photo)
A man walks past copies of the 2,500-year-old Parthenon frieze sculptures in the New Acropolis Museum in Athens, Greece.
A man walks past copies of the 2,500-year-old Parthenon frieze sculptures in the New Acropolis Museum in Athens, Greece.   (AP Photo)
Tourists visit the 2,500-year-old Parthenon Temple.
Tourists visit the 2,500-year-old Parthenon Temple.   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

At any time, you can turn your head to look up and across at the architectural context for which the originals were so passionately carved. At last it will be possible to see the building and its main artifacts in one place and on one day. - Christopher Hitchens

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.6.09
Galleon Scandal: Shocked, Shocked by Insider Trading
11.5.09
Rupert Murdoch Is Mad but Cute
2 comments
VIEWING:
 
Timinator2K
Jun 17, 09 2:00 PM CDT
On one hand, IF the Brits gave the Parthenon friezes back to the Greek government, their credibility would go waaay up in the world community. On the other hand, they'd set a world-wide precedent of returning everything they have back to every country that wants to reclaim their treasures. Best to bite the bullet and give their sh*t back to'em...its the right thing to do. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+4
ultramagnus21
Jun 17, 09 3:08 PM CDT
Greece needs a lot more money then the UK does. The drachma isn't doing too well, especially after the Athens Olympics. Great Britain already has enough tourism revenue as it is. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+2
LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

1 Story

Snowstorm Wallops Greece

Villages stranded, schools closed, flights canceled

Feb 18, 08 9:02 AM CST
(Newser) - A freak snowstorm stranded as many as 200 Greek villages and halted hundreds of flights yesterday and today in Athens, reports Bloomberg. Power and water supply problems were reported across the country and civil defense authorities were on alert. Up to six inches of snow buried the Greek capital, a... More »

MORE ABOUT:
weather • Greece • Athens • snow • snowstorm • Acropolis • Crete

1 Story


Glossies  •  Arts & Living  •  World 
TwitterFollow @NewserGlossies on Twitter

 
art museum • Christopher Hitchens • colonialism • Athens • Acropolis • ancient Greece • Parthenon • frieze

from our news partners