Campaigners seeking the return of the Parthenon Marbles – also known as the Elgin Marbles – to Greece are hoping that attention on the London Olympics and the torch relay will further their effort.
Alexis Mantheakis, chairman of the International Parthenon Sculptures Action Committee spoke to the Athens News ahead of Thursday’s ceremony at Ancient Olympia to light the flame for the July 27–August 12 London Olympics.
“We have no objection to the Olympic Flame as such because it’s a tradition,” Mantheakis said.
“But as for the hand over, I think it’s up to the members and people on their own to decide what they should do in this case, because it is a definite paradox in handing over the flame at this time to Britain. It’s a matter of each person’s conscience and his sense of history as to whether this flame should be given.”
He did not say whether he knew of any protests being planned at Olympia or the handover in Athens.
The marble sculptures were removed from the Acropolis by Lord Elgin, Britain’s ambassador to the Ottoman Empire more than 200 years ago. The campaign for their return received a major boost in 2009 with the inauguration of the new Acropolis Museum.
The British Museum in London has refused to consider handing back the collection, even in the form of a longterm loan.
Source: Athens News