Response from London

It is not the first time that the issue of the Parthenon Sculptures is in the news and is mentioned at almost every opportunity in the relationship between Britain and Greece. For decades it has functioned as a point of friction, but also as a point of recognition of the communication sensitivities of the two states.

The “fire” was now ignited by the Economist magazine, in its annual edition of the predictions for the next year. As another “British Casamian”, he said that 2025 would be a “year of developments” while predicting that from the new year the Parthenon Sculptures “may finally be moved, or at least the negotiations for their status will take a big leap towards front”.

The Museum insists on its statements

In an attempt by Deutsche Welle to get a more specific answer about the new report and how the British Museum reacted to it, a top press officer for the organization did not appear to want to reveal their own agenda. The answer remained the same as the one given about a year ago, namely: “talks with Greece regarding the cooperation for the Parthenon are ongoing and constructive.”

Certainly the words that have been used, “continuous” and “constructive”, point to fertile ground for the future of the Parthenon Sculptures and are in sequence with the Economist study, although they remain the same for a year.

It makes sense, since the main problem for both sides for decades is that it has not yet been clarified what will be done regarding the recognition of ownership of the Sculptors. It is recalled that the main “thorn” is the law of the British state that prohibits the granting of ownership of any object belonging to the British Museum (British Museum Act 1963).

The Museum’s statement continued, saying that “we believe that such a long-term partnership will strike the right balance in sharing the outstanding objects with the world, while maintaining the integrity of the British Museum’s incredible collection”.

Is the new director of the British Museum a “key” person?

However, the new director of the Museum, Nicholas Callinan, also appears as a positive change for the discussions. According to the Economist, he is characterized as a reformer, while in an interview with him a few days ago in the Financial Times, he appears as a diplomat and an optimist.

It is true that he, as well as the president of the Museum, George Osborne, is in favor of the solution of a long-term loan of the Sculptors, “in exchange for perhaps other antiquities from Greece”, as the Economist magazine characteristically writes.

In the Financial Times, however, he declared himself willing “for cooperation”, adding that he believes that “everyone would like to see an exciting and innovative solution”, while clarifying, among other things, that he would “talk more about a partnership of cooperation, than a discussion about property”.

Where does the issue stand politically?

The next step seems to take place on December 2, when Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is expected to visit London and his British counterpart. The issue will reportedly be high on the agenda, as Keir Starmer has said he will not stand in the way of any deal between the British Museum and Greece.

At the same time, the new Culture Minister of the Labor government, Lisa Nandy, according to what she had revealed in September to the Guardian, is considering the repatriation of antiquities and works of cultural heritage that are currently in British institutions, including the British Museum.