ND MEP Eleonora Meleti submitted a question to the European Commission after the organization of a charity dinner by the British Museum inside the room where the Parthenon Sculptures are exhibited on October 18, 2025, an event that caused outrage in Greece and was characterized by the Ministry of Culture as “insulting” to a world monument.

Ms. Meleti asks the Commission to take a stand and put pressure on the UK and the British Museumso that such actions are not repeated. At the same time, it calls on the EU to take a more active role in the protection and return of cultural goods to their Member States of origin and to make use of the “Culture Compass” to promote respect for European cultural heritage in relations with third countries.

In her question, the EPP MEP and member of the Culture and Education Committee recalls that, according to Article 167 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, the Union must strengthen international cultural cooperation and protect the symbols of European history.

As Ms. Meleti stated, “the image of the Parthenon Sculptures being used as a backdrop for a social event is an insult to Greek and European culture. The Parthenon Sculptures are a symbol of Greek culture, not party decor. Europe must stand up to its values ​​and defend its cultural heritage”.

Here is the full text of the question:

“On 18 October 2025, the British Museum hosted a charity dinner in the Parthenon Sculpture Hall. The use of the Sculptures as a setting for a social event provoked a strong reaction from the Greek Ministry of Culture, which described the action as “offensive” for a world cultural heritage monument.

According to Article 6 and paragraphs 3 and 4 of Article 167 of the TFEU, the European Union encourages cooperation between Member States and contributes to the promotion of international cultural relations. The Council of the EU, with the Conclusions of April 2019, highlighted the need to strengthen cultural cooperation with partner countries. At the same time, the dialogue between Greece and the United Kingdom on the return of the Parthenon Sculptures has been reheated in the context of the relevant UNESCO procedures.

The Commission is asked:

1. Does it intend to put pressure on the UK and/or the British Museum to prevent similar actions in the future?
2. What initiatives is it considering to strengthen the EU’s role in the management, protection and possible return of cultural goods to their Member States of origin?
3. How does it intend to utilize the “Culture Compass” to promote respect and proper management of European cultural heritage in the context of relations with third countries?”.