Speaking at the annual trustees’ dinner, George Osborne was quick to make it clear that he has no plans to break up the British Museum’s collections
London, Thanasis Gavos
New hint about the possibility of a return Sculptors of the Parthenon from London to Athens was opened by the chairman of the management committees of the British Museum, but with conditions that seem rather to refer to a temporary loan.
Speaking at the annual dinner of the commissioners of administration, Mr George Osborne announced that three weeks ago a “complete redefinition” of the London museum had been agreed, with details to be revealed next spring.
He specifically spoke of a large plan to recreate the Museum with the aim of “becoming the world museum of common humanity”.
He hastened to clarify, however, that he does not plan to dismantle the British Museum’s collections. “We hear the voices asking for the restoration (of works of art). But the creation of this world-class British Museum has been the work of many generations of dedication. Its removal must not be the reckless act of a single generation. When some say that the very fact that it was possible to assemble these collections makes us illegal today, we answer: ‘No, that is precisely the thing that makes us invaluable,’ said Mr. Osborne characteristically.
At the same time, he left open the possibility that some “of the most important” exhibits of the British Museum will return to their countries of origin, if “common ground” is found with these countries.
He added that the British Museum will change the way it engages with “communities around the world whose treasures we hold in trust for all humanity”.
Mr Osborne noted: “My message is this: if you’re ready to find common ground, then so are we.”
The new message of the president of the British Museum is perceived at first by the Times newspaper which refers to his speech as another allusion to the loan of the Parthenon Sculptures to the Acropolis Museum.
It is recalled that months ago Mr. Osborne had spoken of an “agreement” that could be made regarding the Sculptures, a phrase that was also taken as a reference to a loan.
Read more:
British Museum in SKAI: Only on loan and temporarily reuniting the Parthenon Sculptures
The Greek side rejects the loan of the Sculptures, as this would imply recognition of the ownership of the British Museum. Instead. seeks an agreement to permanently reunite the work of Pheidias.
In an interview with SKAI during the week, the president of the Parthenon Project, Lord Vesey, noted that the goal of the organization working to reunite the sculptors is to find a mutually beneficial solution (‘win-win’). According to her, the Sculptures from London would be returned to Athens and in return the Greek government would lend valuable ancient Greek treasures for periodic exhibitions in London.
This is a proposal that is supported by many agencies involved in the claim of the Sculptors.
An online poll conducted by The Times on the occasion of Osborne’s new statements shows that 73% of the more than 31,000 readers who have voted want the return of the “Elginia marbles” to Greece.
In his speech, George Osborne also mentioned plans for building renovations at the British Museum as part of the changes to be made, as well as a plan to make the Museum a zero-emission institution.
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I am currently a news writer for News Bulletin247 where I mostly cover sports news. I have always been interested in writing and it is something I am very passionate about. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and spending time with my family and friends.
