Letter to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Rishi SunakSent from Archbishop Nikita of Thyatira and Britainwith which he asks to return the sculptures of the Parthenon to Athens.

As he points out, among other things, in his letter, “in the context of a wider worldwide discussion about cultural relics acquired under conflicting circumstances, there is a renewed interest in the magnificent marble sculptures removed from the Parthenon in the early 19th century. century. and are now in the British Museum. These relics, including about half of the mosaics that once adorned the Parthenon, reflect the artistic genius of Athens in its golden age.

Regardless of the direction of this broader global discussion, I urge you to consider the Parthenon sculptures as a special case requiring a bold and progressive solution that would greatly improve relations between Greeks, Britons and all those who appreciate the Greek heritage.

As is known, the Sculptures, now in London, were part of a single monument, which was fragmented (even described by its executors as “somewhat barbaric”) at the private initiative of a diplomat, which would be unthinkable today, and which was strongly disputed even at that time” .

Dear Prime Minister,

On behalf of hundreds of thousands of citizens and other residents of the United Kingdom – people who deeply appreciate the cultural and spiritual traditions of Britain and Greece – I would like to address you with great respect on an issue that has recently received attention. media, which is of particular concern to us.

In the context of a wider global discussion about cultural relics acquired under conflicting circumstances, there is a renewed interest in the magnificent marble sculptures that were removed from the Parthenon in the early 19th century. and are now in the British Museum. These relics, including about half of the mosaics that once adorned the Parthenon, reflect the artistic genius of Athens in its golden age.

Regardless of the direction of this broader global discussion, I urge you to consider the Parthenon sculptures as a special case requiring a bold and progressive solution that would greatly improve relations between Greeks, Britons and all those who appreciate the Greek heritage.

As you know, the Sculptures, now in London, were part of a single monument, which was dismantled (even described by its executors as “somewhat barbaric”) on the private initiative of a diplomat, which would be unthinkable today and which even at that time caused fierce debate.

According to the writings of the historian William St. Clair, who has researched the subject in depth, Lord Elgin’s agents used “persuasion, threats and bribes” to convince the Ottoman authorities in Athens to allow aggressive looting of the Parthenon and other monuments of the Acropolis. In the long and indeed rich history of British scholarly interest in the Greek heritage, this episode is certainly nothing to be proud of.

Two centuries later, the possibility of a reunion of the so suddenly separated Sculptors is discussed, and there is an obvious place for their display, the gallery of the Acropolis Museum, where about a third of the diasome is already located, in Greek light, with the Parthenon. in nearby.

As residents of the UK, we respect the British Museum as a center of academic excellence and understand its desire to showcase the magnificence of world history. We also understand the independent status of the Museum and the legal obligations of its trustees to protect the collection.

However, together with many British scientists, cultural figures, politicians and ordinary citizens, we believe that the Museum’s global recognition will not decrease, but increase if the sculptors return to Athens. Since the law has been amended to allow the restoration of works of art confiscated by the Nazis, it is quite possible – with good will – to find legal solutions that would facilitate the restoration of all this unique diazom.

The British and Greeks are already cooperating very productively in studying the Greek heritage and in presenting it to the world. Among the fruits of this partnership are the generous donation of funds by Greek philanthropists to British universities, the thriving British School of Athens, a recognized British foundation promoting academic collaboration, archeology-related research, conferences and lectures, and a strong Greek presence among staff and students. British universities, as well as a proposal recently selected by a British architect to modernize the National Archaeological Museum of Athens.

All this is happening despite the problems caused by the terrible injustice committed on the Acropolis 200 years ago. We would say that cultural cooperation between the UK and Greece could rise to a new level for everyone’s benefit if this problem were solved.

As we celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Greek renaissance, we have a unique opportunity to meet this just demand.