Letter from the Greek Minister for Foreign
Affairs to the Chairman of the Committee
Please find attached the memorandum of the Greek
Government on the issue of the Parthenon Marbles, submitted by
my colleague, Elissavet Papazoi MP, Minister of Culture, in written
evidence for the Select Committee's inquiry on "Cultural
Property: Return and Illicit Trade". You may also note that,
as we already informed you through the diplomatic channel, the
Greek Government would be pleased to provide oral evidence to
the Committee at an appropriate time.
The issue of the Parthenon Marbles presents
an important opportunity for Greek-British relations. Our nations
have been faithful allies in the struggle for freedom and democracy,
and heirs of common intellectual traditions and values. Today,
the United Kingdom attracts a large number of Greek students pursuing
academic studies, second only to the number of students enrolled
in Greek Universities; many Greek shipping companies and ship-owners
have made the City of London their home; on the other hand, the
number of British visitors to Greece exceeds that of any other
group of foreign nationals. We enjoy good economic relations,
and a strong willingness to expand and strengthen our cultural
exchanges. This fact is demonstrated by the success of the "Greece
in Britain" cycle of events in London, and of the extensive
programme of the British Council in Athens. The British School
of Archaeology at Athens remains a major centre of archaeological
scholarship, and its history is linked with important archaeological
discoveries since the nineteenth century; the school currently
engages in a very promising development programme, preparing for
the challenges of the new millennium. All the above is evidence
of a flourishing relationship between our two nations.
The attached memorandum presents the historical
and technical evidence on the issue of the Parthenon Marbles.
It is our view that contemporary notions of historic preservation,
interpretation and safeguarding of cultural property are best
served by the reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures in their
original topographic, historical and cultural context, in the
new Acropolis Museum being specially built for this purpose. The
United Kingdom, and British institutions of learning, could play
a major role in this process. Indeed, the Parthenon Marbles present
us with a historic opportunity to create a strong partnership
between Greece and the United Kingdom in the domain of cultural
relations, which could only have a positive broader effect.
The protection of cultural heritage is a high
priority of Greek national policy. For the last quarter of a century,
Greek archaeologists, architects and conservators have been engaging
in an internationally acclaimed restoration and conservation programme
of the Acropolis monuments. A major urban rehabilitation project
is now underway, with a view to unifying all archaeological sites
of central Athens for the benefit of the general public.
Furthermore, significant progress has already
been demonstrated in controlling air pollution, a major problem
that has haunted Athens for decades. The completion of a new metropolitan
subway system and the construction of major highways is expected
to further alleviate traffic and make Athenian archaeological
heritage more accessible to visitors. A new airport, which will
be operational by 2002, will no doubt multiply the number of national
and international visitors to Athens. The facilities infrastructure
for the 2004 Summer Olympic Games is being put into place, as
well as a Cultural Olympiad for the period leading to the 2004
Games, consisting of a vibrant programme of multi-cultural events
in Athens and elsewhere. Finally, the excavation phase for the
construction of the new Acropolis Museum, where the full Parthenon
Sculptures can be exhibited, is nearing completion; a modified
architectural brief has been prepared on the basis of important
archaeological discoveries at the Museum site; and, a closed international
competition is being launched for the architectural plans of the
Museum building.
The removal of the Marbles in 1801 and their
acquisition by the British Museum belong to an era when notions
of heritage, cultural appropriation, and power were very different
to our own today. The Parthenon itself is a unique monument, by
virtue of its universal cultural value as a symbol of Greek civilisation,
the complexity of its sculptural repertoire (a large part of which
is now in London), and its inter-relation with the place, light
and history of the city of Athens. As we approach the bicentenary
of Lord Elgin's operation in Athens, a re-examination of the issue
of the Parthenon Marbles by your Committee will give a strong
signal supporting a new ethics for safeguarding the world's cultural
heritage, and will provide fresh opportunities for Greece and
the United Kingdom to develop a strong partnership, based on a
wide-ranging framework of bilateral cultural relations.
In sum, I strongly believe that the United Kingdom
could, and should, be a partner to our initiative for the reunification
of the Parthenon Marbles in Athens. The Summer Olympic Games of
2004 provide a symbolic milestone for establishing such a partnership.
The modern Olympic Games will be returning to Athens for the first
time since the first Olympic Games of 1896. In the 2004 games,
Greece has pledged to co-operate with the IOC and the international
community in order to make the ancient tradition of Olympic Truce
a reality, and to enhance the cultural dimension of the Games
by organising a strong and truly international Cultural Olympiad.
By pledging its willingness to become Greece's partner for the
reunification of the Parthenon Marbles in Athens, in the context
of the 2004 Games, the United Kingdom will demonstrate leadership
and vision not just in the field of cultural heritage protection
and management, but in the broader domain of international cultural
relations and cultural diplomacy.
Please allow me to take this opportunity to
offer my best wishes to your Committee, and to yourself personally,
for a positive conclusion of this important inquiry.
March 2000
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