The British Museum has said it is seeking “realistic solutions” for the future of the Parthenon Sculptures, recognising that "deep emotions" are involved in the question of repatriating the ancient Greek artefacts.
“The British Museum acknowledges Greece’s strong desire for the return of the Parthenon Sculptures to Athens. We understand and respect the deep emotions involved,” a museum spokesperson told SKAI TV.
The museum added that it hopes to develop a “collaboration for the Parthenon” and explore innovative cooperation with Greece to enhance the global understanding and appreciation of the sculptures.
The announcement came after Turkey's representative at the 24th UNESCO ICPRCP session - Intergovernmental Committee for Promoting the Return of Cultural Property to its Countries of Origin or its Restitution in Case of Illicit Appropriation - rejected the existence of an Ottoman document that authorised Lord Elgin’s removal of the sculptures.
The British Museum maintains the position that Lord Elgin was granted a permit (firman) from the Ottoman Empire, which ruled Athens at the time, to draw, measure and remove around half of the remaining sculptures from the ruins of the Parthenon.
Following Turkey's comments, Greece’s Culture Minister, Lina Mendoni, also declared that no such Ottoman firman existed, according to a report in Athens-Macedonian News Agency.
“I put this in quotes because this is an argument of the British side that has never, however, been proved to be genuine. There was never any Ottoman firman that allowed Elgin to treat the Parthenon Sculptures with the barbarity with which he treated them. At the session, the representative of Turkiye confirmed what the Greek side has argued for years – that there was no firman,” said Mendoni.
“Greece is always open to dialogue. It has tried and will continue to try so that the great national goal – which is to satisfy the national demand for the reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures in Athens, in the Acropolis Museum – becomes a reality.”