Reuniting the Parthenon Sculptures 

Reuniting the Parthenon Sculptures 

This evening, Andrew George MP will host a reception promoting the case for a cultural collaboration between British and Greek authorities with the goal of achieving a “gracious act“, reuniting the Parthenon sculptures – half of which have been held in the British Museum for the past two centuries.

The event will take place this evening in Parliament and is expected to attract an audience of MPs and Peers from across all parties to hear speeches from: 

• Sir Stephen Fry – Actor, broadcaster and writer 

• Victoria Hislop – Author 

• Roger Michel – Director of the Institute of Digital Archaeology 

• Lord Ed Vaizey – former Conservative Minister for Culture 

• Baroness Thangam Debbonaire – former Labour Shadow Culture Secretary 

The event also coincides with a recent letter, sent by a new far-right organisation – great British P.A.C. – which accuses the British museum, is trustees and others of a “politically orchestrated” plan “shrouded in secrecy” to return the sculptures” and which would set a precedent with dangerous consequences”.

Organiser, Andrew George MP, said:
“Parliament must not ignore the rise of the far right. They are now attempting to set the agenda in cultural politics as in all other walks of life. The purpose of today’s event is to engage Parliament in the process of understanding cultural partnerships and collaborations. This far right organisation laughably claims the Parthenon sculptures are “one of Britain’s most significant cultural treasures”.  Putting right an enduring historic wrong will enhance, not damage, Britain’s standing in the world, as well as enhance opportunities for greater cultural collaborations and lending of artefacts between nations, for the benefit of the British public and visitors to our museums.”