Loading ...The British newspaper the Guardian http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/poll/2009/jun/24/elgin-marbles has just finished a poll asking what People think about the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece. The results of the poll are 94.8% in favor of returning and 5.2% voting No. The official results will be published by the Guardian on July 8, 09.
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elgin_Marbles we copy a short history of the events. Please note the timing, just a few years before the final revolution that led to the end of 400 years occupation by the Turks.
Thomas Bruce, 7th Earl of Elgin, the British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire from 1799–1803, had obtained a controversial permission from the Ottoman authorities to remove pieces from the Acropolis. From 1801 to 1812 Elgin’s agents removed about half of the surviving sculptures of the Parthenon, as well as architectural members and sculpture from the Propylaea and Erechtheum. The Marbles were transported by sea to Britain. In Britain, the acquisition of the collection was supported by artists and others, while some critics compared Elgin’s actions to vandalism or looting. Following a public debate in Parliament and subsequent exoneration of Elgin’s actions, the marbles were purchased by the British Government in 1816 and placed on display in the British Museum, where they stand now on view in the purpose-built Duveen Gallery. The legality of the removal has been questioned and the debate continues as to whether the Marbles should remain in the British Museum or be returned to Athens.
I received today a short note from a very good friend of Mine, Alecos, who cannot hide his anger and puts it in very few words that I share with him, as I am sure every single Greek around the Globe does.
Here is what we Greeks say:
At last let it be the dream of Melina Merkouri a reality and let the b.. British return the Marbles that were cut to small pieces in order to be transported, by the butcher, the ignorant, the barbarian and at the same time mega-thief, but unfortunately referred to as “lord???”, from the great – but recently small Britannia.
