President Tassoulas: Strong argumentation for the reunification of the Parthenon sculptures

Τhe President of the Hellenic Republic Constantine Tassoulas, received the Presidents of the National Committees for the Reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures in the presence of the Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni.

Tassoulas noted that their efforts around the world have created a favourable wave of public opinion in support of the vision for the reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures. “The impact on public opinion in your countries, especially in Great Britain, is one of the key conditions for the success of our goal,” he said, adding that reunification is not a matter of victory or defeat. “No one will be defeated if the sculptures are returned and reunited, because this demand belongs to the global cultural community and is ultimately universal,” he added.

He also stressed that Greece continues to strengthen the arguments for its claim with tangible evidence of its strong will and proven ability to protect, preserve, highlight, and manage the sculptures in the best and most scientifically and technically appropriate way. He emphasised that for decades Greece has been implementing an exemplary and admirable programme of conservation, restoration, and rehabilitation of all the monuments of the Acropolis, including the Parthenon.

“Greece has also created the new Acropolis Museum, a museum dedicated to these monuments, designed, built, and equipped according to the most modern standards, in order to house the sculptures under the best possible conditions after their repatriation. In doing so, it has refuted the British Museum’s last argument that Greece lacked suitable and worthy facilities. We have now completed 16 years of extremely successful operation of this museum, which is among the most important, recognisable, popular, and visited museums in the world,” he said.

Tassoulas reiterated that the Greek side has consistently expressed its sincere intention to assist and cooperate with the British Museum so that the return of the Parthenon Sculptures does not create a gap in its collections and exhibition programme. In return, Greece has offered permanent and regularly renewed temporary exhibitions and loans of antiquities of high prestige, artistic merit, and historical importance.

The International Association for the Reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures (IARPS) brings together 20 National Committees from 18 countries and supports the efforts of the Greek government.