The new Acropolis Museum in Athens, Greece was launched on Saturday with two noticeable absences; the legendary Melina Mercouri whose brainchild and vision the new museum was and the missing Parthenon Marbles that still remain in the halls of the British Museum.
While Melina was alive she fervently pursued the cause for the return of the Parthenon Marbles.
This cause has now gained global momentum and enjoys the support of prominent figures from around the world, especially from Australia where many influential men and women have added their voice for the restitution of what they deem a great injustice.
Two of the leading voices are former Australian prime ministers, Malcolm Fraser and Gough Whitlam.
Neos Kosmos English Edition (NKEE) contacted Mr Fraser who spoke on the occasion of the opening of the new Acropolis Museum.
He emphasised the unique circumstances regarding the Parthenon Marbles and why the British Museum should return them to Greece.
“(This is) an individual using authority as a British Ambassador to steal the Marbles and send them to his private estate for his private gain and profit,” Mr Fraser highlighted.
He referred to Lord Elgin, the British Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire who in the 1800s detached part of the Parthenon Marbles only to install them in his estate back home.
Lord Elgin later sold the Marbles to the British Museum when he found himself in financial difficulty.
Mr Fraser predicted that the debate surrounding this issue will continue for years although he unreservedly supported the idea of Greece resorting to litigation if all else fails.
The former Liberal Prime Minister explained the importance of the Return of the Parthenon Marbles to him reflect his Philhellenic values.
“In western civilisation Greece is central and this is a strong supportive argument but for me the important argument is the way in which the Marbles were taken by Lord Elgin for private profit, which is unconscionable.”
This was also stressed by former Labor Prime Minister Gough Whitlam who in a recent written statement said: “There are few cultural objects that have the same significance and meaning as these magnificent sculptures from the high point of the Classic Age of Greece.
“The Parthenon Sculptures are inarguably among the worlds most important surviving art works.”
Mr Whitlam concluded by underscoring that “the new Acropolis Museum gives the British Museum the opportunity of righting one of history’s great wrongs. There is no longer any justification for keeping the collection… now that the sculptures can be reunited and exhibited with the other surviving statues of the Acropolis.”
Malcolm Fraser and Gough Whitlam are both patrons of Australians for the Return of the Parthenon Marbles. The Committee’s Chairman is former ABC managing director, David Hill.
Meanwhile research officer for Australians for the Return of the Parthenon Marbles, George Vardas called on the Greek government to be more forceful in its resolve.
“Enough is enough. It is time for Greece to go on the offensive. The New Acropolis Museum responds magnificently to its historical and archaeological setting and establishes a dialogue that reaches across the centuries. The pressure for return of the Elgin collection of sculptures should therefore become the focal attention in the opening ceremony.”
Mr Vardas further suggested that “the New Acropolis Museum must be the centrepiece of the strategy for return. And this must begin at the opening ceremony. The Greeks must finally take advantage of the magnificent new museum. For until the Parthenon Marbles are reunited in the New Acropolis Museum at the foot of the Sacred Rock, the Parthenon will continue to be haunted by Lord Byron’s lament, “Fair Greece Sad Relic”.