The longstanding debate over the return of the Parthenon Sculptures to Greece resurfaced following a recent publication by the British magazine. The magazine claimed that an agreement had been reached between the British Museum and the Greek government for the long-term loan of the Parthenon Sculptures under a "permanent loan" status—a claim that the British Museum has categorically denied.
“Discussions with the Greek side continue in a positive atmosphere. We believe that a long-term collaboration can balance the global visibility of our most important exhibits with the preservation of the integrity of the Museum's collection,” stated a representative of the British Museum to The Critic.
This proposed approach, seen by some as a potential diplomatic opening, is provoking reactions within the UK. “I have never supported the return of the Marbles to Greece,” stated Kemi Badenoch, a prominent member of the Conservative Party. “The Critic's publication is confused, incorrectly claiming the Charities Act overrides existing laws concerning national museums like the British Museum,” remarked Dan Hicks, a professor of contemporary archaeology at the University of Oxford.
“Legislative change needs to come from someone responsible for the museums,” emphasized Hicks, calling for greater transparency and public accountability for collections maintained with public funds. He noted that the Charities Act of 2022 does allow museums to dispose of objects in cases of "moral obligation," potentially providing a new legal basis for the return of the Sculptures. However, the permanent return would require amending the British Museum Act of 1963, which prohibits the removal of objects from its collections.
According to a report by The Times, talks between London and Athens regarding the Sculptures have remained stagnant since late 2023. In that period, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis raised the issue with then-opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer. Despite these efforts, Downing Street clarified that there was no intention to amend the legislation that would permit the British Museum to transfer ownership of the Sculptures. The management of the Parthenon Sculptures remains the exclusive responsibility of the trustees of the British Museum, which operates independently of the government.
Currently, the only proposal under discussion involves a "mutual loan" agreement. This arrangement would allow the Parthenon Marbles to return to Greece for a prolonged period without changing their ownership status, while Greece would lend archaeological finds for temporary exhibitions in London. Representatives of the British Museum emphasized that talks were still in the early stages and far from any definitive agreement.
Written with the help of a news-analysis system.