“In diplomacy, we learn to choose our battles. And I felt that the sculptures of the Parthenon are worth fighting for, ”summarizes an unexpected ally of Greece in K. Egyptian diplomat Maget Mosle spoke for the first time about the battle Greece fought and won in 2021 at a meeting of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee. He himself was the chairman of the Synod and his decisive role in the unanimous vote, for the first time in 40 years, a landmark decision – aimed solely at the return of the Sculptors.

On the Greek side, great preparations have been made for this particular Synod. Even how he would “connect” to Paris, they planned. Nikolaos Stampolidis, general director of the Acropolis Museum, chose the second-floor balcony and aimed the camera at the monk to frame him and the other presenters (Didaskalou and Papageorgiou from the Ministry of Culture, Papatanasiou from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) to see the light-filled exhibition hall full of people. Indeed, when they “connected” to Paris, Moslet spoke enthusiastically about the museum he had visited in the past: “I think we would all like to be there today,” he exclaimed.

Long before the subject of the Sculptures was discussed, it was clear that the climate was different from any other time. When Zambia’s claims to the Natural History Museum in London were discussed, the British side, in fact, read out the text of their arguments. (Among other things, he mentioned the scientific value of the skull claimed by Zambia.)

Mosley immediately took the floor. “I apologize in advance for what I’m about to say… I’ve been listening to you read in a perfect English accent, but I don’t understand what you’re saying. What does scientific value have to do with a return request?” The British look puzzled. “I hear you! Tell me, what does this have to do with this?” he insisted. She basically re-read the text. Mosley did not comment, but addressed the British again and again in a stern tone. “Today we heard the position of the museum, not the government “, he said. And at another point, he commented that the University of Cambridge returned the stolen archaeological treasures of Benin. “It would be helpful if they told us how they did it so that British museums could follow suit.”

On the second day, the Greeks, as well as the British, presented their positions on the issue of the sculptures. Then one country after another came forward, declaring that they supported Greece. “Since 1984, recommendations have been constantly accepted (there are 16 of them), but nothing is being done. The UK refuses to engage in dialogue. We ask for your help so that this can finally be done,” Papatanasiou told the Egyptian president of the committee, among other things.

“I heard words of support for your request from at least eight countries. Bring me a tougher offer and we’ll discuss it,” he replied.

The following morning, the Zambian delegation handed him text number 22.17. “After reading it, I realized that an important diplomatic alliance had been reached behind the scenes of the Synod,” he recalls. Zambia requested something that Greece could never convey in the text already submitted for the Sculptures (and this had to be agreed jointly with the UK). However, at this last meeting, all the recommendations and decisions of the Synod were to be put to the vote.

The Greek participation was “staged” in front of the Acropolis Museum.

As time went on, the Egyptian chairman of the committee knew that there was not enough room. But he was determined.

“We have the last proposal from Zambia,” he said, and began to read the text by which UNESCO is now calling on the United Kingdom to negotiate with Greece, recognizing that this issue is of an intergovernmental nature – contrary to the opinion of the British side, that the matter relates to the British Museum.

“Any objections?” asked. Greece asked for the floor, as well as Canada, an ally of Great Britain. “I have no objection, but I want to thank Zambia…” began Papathanasiou. “No time for thanks,” interrupted Mosley. “If you want to move on, get on the grill. Translators learn in a few minutes.”

The Greek immediately turned off the microphone, and the Canadian took the floor. “I have to admit, I’m a little confused.

In this decision, Zambia raises a new issue solely in relation to marble. But we have just adopted a marble recommendation agreed between Greece and the UK. I don’t understand…” Mosley answered her without a second thought: “I don’t understand why you are confused. This issue was widely discussed at the meeting yesterday, and Zambia decided that what has been under consideration since 1984 requires a separate dynamic decisions to move forward. Any objection?” he asked again. No one raised their hand. The decision was taken unanimously and the 22nd session ended.

“The atmosphere was festive. And in the permanent Greek mission, where your head worked quietly and effectively at the diplomatic level, in Zambia, as well as in small countries that felt this decision and their own victory, ”recalls Mosle.

The next morning, of course, a disgruntled Canadian ambassador came to his office. According to K’s information, British diplomats also expressed strong displeasure both in Paris and in Athens.

Mosley was and remains adamant about following all rules and procedures. And in May 2022, the decision was ratified without objection from any country. The British now have two years to implement this decision. If they don’t, they will further isolate themselves in the world’s leading cultural organization. But the main? This particular decision completely changed the climate. “This is an important weapon in your quiver. You should make the most of it,” he concludes.

Journey of Artemis from Sicily to Athens

When Alberto Samona took over as advisor to the Sicilian government on cultural heritage and Sicilian identity in 2020, he already knew about the Fagan fragment. In the autumn of 2008, he was received at the Acropolis Museum, but all discussions about returning to permanent residence came to a standstill. Cause; There was no political will. But Samona was determined to try.

He went to the Salina Museum, and there the director Caterina Greco told him about a fragment depicting the lower limbs of the goddess Artemis, looking towards the Panathenaic procession. Greco, who after years of working together developed a personal, intimate relationship with Professor Stampolidis and discussed with him various scenarios of how the fragment had fallen into the hands of British Consul Fagan, told Samonas that there was a possibility that it had been betrayed by Elgin when he stopped for a while in Palermo. “That means if she comes back, it will be the first Sculpture stolen from Elgin,” Samona said excitedly. The Greek side may not have been aware of this yet, but they now had two important allies in their quest to retake Glyptos.

However, before taking any step, he had to have a decisive discussion. One that will give the green light or block the idea even before it is discussed with the Greek side. He met with Sicilian President Nello Musumechi and they discussed the matter for an hour. “At first he was very wary,” recalls Samona. “He was afraid that it might be politically dangerous. How will people take it? Will the opposition take advantage of this? Samona assured him that the Sicilians were mature and fair. “Come on,” Musumechi told him.

That was the first time he spoke to Professor Stampolidis. A month later, he also spoke with Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni. He conveyed to them his desire, but also his optimism about returning. Numerous meetings followed, both with the Greek side and with the central government in Rome. “It was not easy to delete him from the state archives and find himself in Greece. The Code of Cultural Heritage of the Italian Republic imposed various restrictions and bureaucratic obstacles,” he explains. Samona also understood that they needed to be extra diplomatic in their handling of… return vocabulary. “There could be no difficult words,” he recalls. Stampolidis was the one who suggested that the fragment be sent as a “deposit”. Greece, as they agreed, will give them not in exchange, but as a token of gratitude, two other antique objects that will be exhibited for 4 + 4 years.

The man who convinced the local government to hand over the Fagan fragment to Greece.

In the final days of 2021, Samona called the Greek ministry with good news. He received the first “go-ahead” from Rome for a long-term deposit (4 + 4 years) with the prospect of allowing the permanent return of the sculpture to Athens. But some on the Greek side were wary. They asked that, before anything was announced, the issue of permanent return be finally settled. Although Samona was unsure of the outcome, he was optimistic, but at the same time adamant that they should accept the offer for what it was. “I told them clearly. If we wait, efforts may be thwarted,” he recalls.

The fragment did indeed enter the plane in the first week of 2022, with him and Katerina Greco following a few days later. When Stambolidis led them through the museum and they arrived at the temporarily installed display case, Samonas was moved. “It was not an easy path, but the right one. I love Greece also because of my origin. My ancestors were from Asia Minor. I grew up with your story and how much it influenced and shaped my country,” he says.

Although in Greece the opposition criticized the government that “the adoption of 8 years undermines the main arguments of the country”, in Italy the reaction was only positive. In February, Mendoni and Stampolidis traveled to Palermo to deliver the statue of Athena, as agreed. There, during dinner, ordinary people applauded the host Italians, who returned the fragment to the Greeks. This climate, says Samona, has helped the Italian government give the green light “for good” to reduced procedures. In June, the deal was completed, the fragment was removed from the display case and reassembled on the east frieze of the Parthenon in the Acropolis Museum.

Today, Samona says he is proud that his country has laid the foundation for this historic momentum. “What we have achieved shows that there is a way and an opportunity to return the marble sculptures of the Parthenon. All that we read now about the return of other fragments from the Vatican, but the discussion of the Elgins today would be a little more difficult, if not impossible, without the Fagan operation, ”he concludes.