The UK’s Secretary of State for Culture has said that Greece must first “recognise” the UK’s ownership of the Parthenon Marbles before they can be loaned, while also using the name “Elgin” Marbles.
The marbles, which are from the 2,500-year-old Parthenon temple on the Acropolis have been displayed at the British Museum in London for more than 200 years following their removal by then British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, Lord Elgin, in the early 19th Century.
According to the Daily Mail, Lucy Frazer, the Secretary for Culture, Media and Sport of the United Kingdom addressed the topic at a meeting on Wednesday.
“My view is there is only certain circumstances where you can … transfer objects,” she said.
“The British Museum Trustees are responsible for the objects, they were legally acquired and we have no intention of changing the law in relation to those issues.”
There has been talks about a possible loan of the sculptures to Greece and when asked about that, Frazer had the following to say.
“I think it’s very important that the Greek Government recognises that those objects are owned and have been legitimately acquired.”
“Objects are loaned from time to time but that is fundamental that our ownership is recognised.”
Greece has long asked for the return of the Parthenon Marbles, which they say were illegally acquired during foreign occupation, however the UK government rejects that notion.
Remaining marbles are kept in a purpose-built museum in Athens.
George Osborne, the chairman of the British Museum trustees and former Chancellor, is reportedly in talks to return the items, and has previously stated there is a “deal to be done” with Greece to share the artefacts.
