Germany: Concern over possible repatriation of Parthenon Sculptures – ‘Precedent being set’

What’s really going on with me? the issue of the return of the Parthenon Sculptures between the British Museum and Athens? How close are Greece and Great Britain to a historic agreement? The issue has also been of concern to the German press in recent days, which has been following the international debate with interest.

After the publication in the German news agency (dpa) a few days ago, where a representative of the British Museum essentially confirms that “constructive talks” continue in the context of negotiations for a “new collaboration” for the Parthenon Sculptures, it is the turn of the Sunday Welt today.

“Previous” can be created by the British Museum

As he points out in a lengthy article, “of all the museums in the world, the British Museum is the one that will probably set a precedent” regarding the repatriation of important cultural property.

He even notes that the Parthenon Sculptures “from the frieze are the central exhibit of the Museum. Athens is claiming them back, but London has so far denied a comeback. The ‘Marbles’ tell a unique story about the common origins of humanity.’ Now there is talk of ‘complex talks and that some of them can be returned on permanent loan, ‘better now than later’. In return, Greece is reportedly planning to lend other ancient works of art to Great Britain. Cultural exchange can be understood as a modern form of exchange practice,” says the German newspaper.

However, to Deutsche Welle’s question to the Greek side, the Greek Ministry of Culture did not give any answer. The report on the English program of DW refers extensively to the controversy over the Parthenon Sculptures, the recent reports in the German press and the constant Greek position, according to which the Parthenon Sculptures in the British Museum are “stolen”. The report even notes that “even if the two sides initially agree to a loan, the dispute over the marble sculptures is likely to continue. The Greek authorities have stated that they will continue the struggle until they gain full ownership of the precious Sculptures.”

What will happen to Nefertiti and the Altar of Pergamon?

At the same time, however, Welt am Sonntag refers extensively to the famous bust of the Egyptian Queen Nefertiti, wife of the Pharaoh Akhenaten, which has been on display in the New Museum of Berlin in a special room since the 1930s, effectively constituting the Museum’s ‘attraction’ , with Welt likening her to the “Mona Lisa” in the Louvre.

Egypt has been claiming Nefertiti for years, but especially this year the discussion takes on a new dimension, because the opening of the Great Egyptian Museum of Giza is imminent. Similar questions are also raised by the case of the Pergamon Altar, a masterpiece of the Hellenistic period from Asia Minor, which is restored in the Pergamon Museum in Berlin.

However, it is worth noting that Germany recently returned to Nigeria, in the presence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Analena Burbock, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Culture Claudia Roth (both of the Greens), Benin’s famous 20 bronze works of art, stolen from the dark colonial era.

Read the News today and get the latest news.
Follow Skai.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news.