London Mayor Sadiq Khan told a Greek newspaper that the UK and Greece should share the Parthenon Marbles. In an interview with Your NeaKhan suggested that some of the 5th-century BC sculptures, which have been in the British Museum since 1817, should be exhibited in Athens.
Khan said: “Obviously I want Londoners to be able to see the Elgin [Parthenon] Marbles, but I don’t see why the British Museum, UK Government, Greek Government and Athens Museum can’t come to an accommodation to share these wonderful, wonderful Elgin Marbles.”
He added: “I would really encourage the British Museum, the UK Government, the Greek Government and the Acropolis Museum in Athens to discuss how we can make more progress on this issue. I think it’s important to have these discussions…in terms of the Elgin Marbles, there’s a discussion to share some of these things. Khan had not responded to a request for comment at the time of writing.
Early last year, British Museum chairman George Osborne said there was a “deal to be madeon sharing the Parthenon marbles with Greece. Last July, Khan also urged the British Museum and the two governments to “make progress on this issue”, agreeing with Osborne.
However, the British Museum Act 1963 currently prohibits a full return of artifacts. Above all, the British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, said on March 13 when asked about the marbles: “The United Kingdom has taken care of the Elgin Marbles for generations. The British Museum collection is protected by law and we do not intend to alter it.
Meanwhile, further pressure will be brought to bear on the UK government by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis who won the general election last month, securing around 40% of the vote.
In May, Mitsotakis said his government was also exploring a “win-win” solution to the Parthenon Marbles issue. However, the newly elected prime minister also ruled out any deal that would include the word “loan”, according to The Independent log.
Mitsotakis said: “We will never acknowledge that these sculptures belong, legally held by the British Museum… But again, we have to be constructive and we have to be innovative if a solution is to be found.”
The marbles have been kept in the British Museum since 1817 after they were removed from the Parthenon temple on the Acropolis in Athens by Scottish nobleman Lord Elgin, then ambassador to the Ottoman court.
