"(…) The Union shall respect its rich cultural and linguistic diversity, and shall ensure that Europe’s cultural heritage is safeguarded and enhanced", stresses the Lisbon Treaty in article 3.3 TEU. Cultural heritage and its symbols undoubtedly constitute the main capital of European peoples and the soul of the European Union. Respecting and restoring them is a European obligation and concern. The adoption of special European legislation as early as 1993 on the issue of the return of cultural objects unlawfully removed from the territory of a Member State, as well as recent initiatives, like the ongoing formation by the European Commission - on the basis of December 2011 Council Conclusions - of an expert group on the prevention of and fight against the illicit trafficking of cultural goods prove the importance attached to this issue at European level.

In this framework, the roundtable discussion on “The Reunification of the Parthenon Marbles: a European concern” was organised in collaboration with the Swiss Committee for the Return of the Parthenon Marbles and its President, Prof. Dusan Sidjanski, a great philhellene and an arduous advocate of the issue. The roundtable enjoyed the support of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture.

The main objective being to inform European Parliamentarians and raise awareness among the European public on the issue of the return of the Parthenon Marbles, the fact that the discussion was held within the European Parliament, at the heart of European democracy, among elected representatives of the peoples of Europe and prominent supporters of various European countries is of great importance. It conveys a message of the European obligation to protect our cultural heritage and at the same time of our commitment to inform European public opinion in view of supporting the demand of the restitution of the fundamental monument of Parthenon.

During the discussion, the issue of the return of the Parthenon Marbles emerged not only as a longstanding Greek demand but a moral issue of Εuropean nature. It is a demand associated with the respect and integrity of the Parthenon, this landmark Greek monument, symbol of European culture of universal significance. The Parthenon is a Symbol. A symbol of ideas, values and ideals that have shaped European culture and inspired the whole of humanity. A symbol of harmony, balance (metron), the culmination of art and culture. Maintaining its integrity and continuity by ensuring the reunification of its dismembered sculptures and representations, is highly significant. The Acropolis Museum at the foot of the Sacred Rock is a "home" for the Marbles calling them to return in order to reunify and enhance their greatness.

At the same time, it is a unique case. It is not an issue of repatriation of just any sculptures. This is about restoring the Parthenon by returning pieces of a whole, violently and unlawfully detached and removed by Lord Elgin at a time when the country was under foreign occupation.

For all these reasons, the return of the Parthenon Marbles is a moral obligation for the entire Europe in the framework of the priority attached to the protection of our common cultural heritage, the integrity and the dignity of our monuments.
 

For the article as published online click here

 

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