Will the British Museum Return Parthenon Marbles to Greece?

In 1801, Thomas Bruce, 7th Earl of Elgin, took the Parthenon Marbles (also known as the Elgin Marbles) from Athens to England. Fifteen years later, he sold them to the British Museum, where they have remained ever since. The Greek government has long argued they were illegally taken, and has stated they should be repatriated to Greece.

"Even people who for years have opposed the return of the sculptures to Greece now support our demand," Lina Mendoni, Greece's Minister of Culture, said at the end of 2023. "If I was not optimistic, I would not work with fervour and faith for the national cause of reuniting the sculptures in the Acropolis Museum here in Athens."

That could happen this year—maybe. Here's a timeline of what's happened so far.

December 2022: "Secret talks" between the British Museum and Greece.

Greek newspaper Ta Nea reported in December 2022 that the chair of the British Museum, George Osborne, met with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in London over the fate of the Marbles, and that talks, which have been taking place for over a year, are nearing a close.

"I don’t want to speak publicly about the discussions that we have had," Mitsotakis said. "But I think there is a better sense of understanding that maybe a win-win solution can be found that will result in a reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures in Greece, while at the same time also taking into consideration concerns that the British Museum may have."

Yet, others in his government have cautioned that talks are far from over. "Since the beginning of its term the government has been and is in talks with the British side," government spokesman Giannis Oikonomou said. "These discussions are at a preliminary stage. We are far from announcements or a final deal."

If the deal goes through, the Parthenon Marbles could be on display part time at the Acropolis museum.

February 2023: Is a "new arrangement" sharing the Marbles in the works?

"It's a very hard problem to solve," the British Museum's chair, George Osborne, told BBC Radio in February 2023. "But I think there is a way forward where these sculptures, the Elgin Marbles, the Parthenon Sculptures, could be seen both in London and in Athens, and that will be a win-win for Greece and for us."

He added, "We're talking to the Greek government about that, about a new arrangement and what I didn't want to do is force the Greeks to accept things that they find impossible, and equally they can't force on us things that we would find impossible."

A British Museum spokesperson said it has previously "publicly called for a new Parthenon Partnership with Greece. We are seeking new positive, long-term partnerships with countries and communities around the world, and that of course includes Greece." The museum also said, "we operate within the law and we're not going to dismantle our great collection as it tells a unique story of our common humanity."

The UK's Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has said, "The British Museum is prevented by law from removing objects from its collections, except in some narrow circumstances. The government has no plans to change this act."

March 2023: UK Prime Minster says they will not be returned.

In March 2023, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak squashed any thoughts of "returning" the sculptures. Sunak said, "The UK has cared for the Elgin marbles for generations. Our galleries and museums are funded by taxpayers because they are a huge asset to this country." He added, "We share their treasures with the world, and the world comes to the UK to see them. The collection of the British Museum is protected by law, and we have no plans to change it."

July 2023: London mayor says they should be shared.

In July 2023, London's mayor, Sadiq Kahn, said the marbles should be "shared" between the UK and Greece. He told Greek paper Ta Nea (translated by The Art Newspaper), "I obviously want Londoners to be able to see the Elgin Marbles, but I don't see why the British Museum, the British government, the government of Greece and the museum in Athens can't come to an accommodation to share these wonderful, wonderful Elgin Marbles."

Kahn continued, "I'd really encourage the British Museum, the British government, the government of Greece and the Acropolis Museum in Athens to talk about how we can make more progress on this very issue. I think it's important to have these discussions… in terms of the Elgin Marbles there's a discussion to share some of this stuff."

August 2023: Renewed calls for the return of the Marbles.

Calls for the return of the Parthenon Sculptures were renewed in August 2023, following news of thefts at the British Museum. The security issue "reinforces the permanent and just demand of our country for the definitive return" of the Elgin Marbles, Lina Mendoni, Greece's Minister of Culture, said in a recent interview.

"The loss, theft, deterioration of objects from a museum’s collections is an extremely serious and particularly sad event," Mendoni added. "In fact, when this happens from within, beyond any moral and criminal responsibility, a major question arises regarding the credibility of the museum organization itself."

October 2023: Discussions of a "partnership" start to emerge.

George Osborne (the British Museum's Chair) said, "We want to create a proper partnership. [One] that would mean objects from Greece coming here, objects that have potentially never left Greece before and certainly never been seen before, and objects from the Parthenon collection potentially traveling to Greece."

November 2023: Sunak snubs Mitsotakis.

British PM Rishi Sunak was supposed to meet with Greece's PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis, but refused after Mitsotakis gave an interview to the BBC saying the Parthenon marbles should be returned, saying they were "essentially stolen" and calling their presence in the UK similar to "cutting the Mona Lisa in half."

A senior Conservative source said, "It became impossible for this meeting to go ahead following commentary regarding the Elgin marbles prior to it. Our position is clear – the Elgin marbles are part of the permanent collection of the British Museum and belong here. It is reckless for any British politician to suggest that this is subject to negotiation."

"Greece and Britain are united by traditionally strong ties of friendship and the framework of our bilateral relations is exceptionally broad. The views of Greece on the Parthenon sculptures are well known," Mitsotakis said in a statement following the cancellation of the talks. "I had hoped to have the opportunity to discuss them with my British counterpart along with other international challenges: Gaza; Ukraine; the climate crisis; migration."

On December 1, at the opening ceremony of the World Climate Action Summit during COP28, King Charles wore a tie with a Greek flag pattern, which many interpreted as support for Greece following the dispute.

December 2023: Greece offers to loan the Museum "important antiquities" to "fill the void."

At the very end of 2023, Mendoni told the Guardian that Greece would be prepared to "fill the void" of the British Museum if the Marbles were returned. "Our position is clear," she said. "Should the sculptures be reunited in Athens, Greece is prepared to organize rotating exhibitions of important antiquities that would fill the void."

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