Is there a “legal window” for the repatriation of the Parthenon Sculptures? What experts say to SKAI

London, Thanasis Gavos

The possible “deal” described by a Bloomberg article on Tuesday night is considered insufficient by the British supporters of the reunification of the Parthenon Sculptors.

Citing sources with knowledge of the ongoing talks, the publication said that parts of the Sculptures could be returned over time and “on a rotating basis” from the British Museum to the Acropolis Museum, as part of a “cultural exchange”.

The reference to “rotating” possession of the Sculptures judged to be unsatisfactory based on the constant request of the Greek side for the permanent reunification of all the Sculptors.

In this light, Professor Paul Cartledge, Vice-President of the International Association for the Reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures and Vice-President of the British Commission for Reunification, stated that he understands the denial of the publication by sources in the Greek Ministry of Culture.

“I can understand why the British Museum is very keen to give the impression that it is not simply saying no (to reunification) but that it is interested in some kind of negotiated solution, while on the other hand I completely understand why the Ministry of Culture in Greece he would accept nothing less from the return of everything owned by the British Museum and by the way other museums – as a whole and for eternity,” the former professor of Ancient Greek Culture at the University of Cambridge told SKAI.

“None of this piecemeal ‘here, you can have this piece of the frieze and then we expect some nice things back from you and then we’ll give you some more of the frieze,’ meaning we’ll lend it to you, not give it to you for sure Mr. Cartledge added, dismissing the content of the deal described by Bloomberg’s sources.

The British professor agrees, however, that even if we have not reached the desired outcome, the constant references to talks and possible agreements prove that progress has been made.

“I think the pressure is on. The fact that the Pope agreed to give back – and not in any way lend or raise any legal issues – the piece it owns from the Vatican, is the latest in a series of different things that have been done outside Britain. All this leads to the conclusion that it is obvious that the trustees of the British Museum should do the right thing and enter into negotiations on the basis that the relevant laws (which prevent reunification) should be amended or withdrawn. But also that they wish, not that they are obliged, that they wish to give back (the Sculptures) as they would normally owe. So there is no doubt that (there is) this bargain, this idea of ​​the deal, as if the British Museum has some moral footing, which we think it doesn’t have,” Professor Cartledge noted.

The rotating possession of the Sculptures would not solve the question of ownership. Another thorn, of course, is the law on British Museum 1963 which prohibits the removal of exhibits from the collection.

A possible way out of this is the British one Charities Act 2022, as pointed out by lawyer Giorgos Dimaras who specializes in cases of mixed national jurisdiction and has a presence in Greece, Britain and other countries:

“Greece’s arguments for ownership remain strong. However, there is also the recent change in legislation in Britain, 2022 and the Goods Act, which allows museum trustees to even request the return of objects in British museum collections on the basis of some moral obligation. Although this is a difficult issue, possibly the new law could influence decisions (about the Sculptors)”, the Greek lawyer told SKAI.

However, it is noted that the implementation of two crucial articles of the new law has been suspended by the British government in order to “study more thoroughly their effects” on museum collections.

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