American Committee for the Reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures
Submitted by Communications ... on Sat, 2007-04-21 16:13NEWS RELEASE
April 15, 2007
THE AMERICAN COMMITTEE FOR THE REUNIFICATION OF THE PARTHENON SCULPTURES
For immediate release
POC: Dennis Menos
(301) 656-6996
dmenos@msn.com
On April 14, the newly established “American Committee for the Reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures,” hosted its inaugural event in Washington D.C. with a highly successful presentation by its President Michael J. Reppas of Miami Lakes FL. The presentation, entitled the “Looting of the Parthenon: Why the Parthenon Sculptures Now In London Must be Returned to Athens,” was offered in the elegant new Frosene Education Center of Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral, in Washington DC.
Using unique slides to illustrate his comments, Mr Reppas reviewed first the historical events that led to Lord Elgin committing what is undoubtedly the largest art theft of all times, including the fraud, bribery, and permit of questionable validity that he used to devour the Parthenon of its best preserved art. He emphasized the importance of the Parthenon as one of mankind’s greatest cultural symbols and artistic wonders, that should not be allowed to remain disfigured and mutilated. Mr Reppas explained the rationale for returning to Athens (in the New Acropolis Museum) the Parthenon sculptures now in the British Museum, and methodically rebutted the arguments used by the British Museum for its continued retention of the sculptures. The British Museum’s ownership claim to the sculptures is without any legal basis, emphasized Mr. Reppas. He concluded by inviting Americans to become engaged in this worthwhile effort – “it is time,” he said, “for the voice of America to be heard alongside all other nations of the world who support the goal of the reunification of the Parthenon sculptures.”
An audience in excess of 170 attended the event. Present were the Honorable Karolos Gadis of the Embassy of Greece; professors and academics from various Universities of the Washington area and of the Center for Hellenic Studies, Harvard University; representatives of the “Prometheas” Cultural Society and of the “Society for the Preservation of Greek Heritage” that cosponsored the event; representatives of the White House Historical Association; as well as numerous leading members of Washington’s Greek-American community.
The Committee plans to take its public education message to other US cities over the next few months.
April 15, 2007
THE AMERICAN COMMITTEE FOR THE REUNIFICATION OF THE PARTHENON SCULPTURES
For immediate release
POC: Dennis Menos
(301) 656-6996
dmenos@msn.com
On April 14, the newly established “American Committee for the Reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures,” hosted its inaugural event in Washington D.C. with a highly successful presentation by its President Michael J. Reppas of Miami Lakes FL. The presentation, entitled the “Looting of the Parthenon: Why the Parthenon Sculptures Now In London Must be Returned to Athens,” was offered in the elegant new Frosene Education Center of Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral, in Washington DC.
Using unique slides to illustrate his comments, Mr Reppas reviewed first the historical events that led to Lord Elgin committing what is undoubtedly the largest art theft of all times, including the fraud, bribery, and permit of questionable validity that he used to devour the Parthenon of its best preserved art. He emphasized the importance of the Parthenon as one of mankind’s greatest cultural symbols and artistic wonders, that should not be allowed to remain disfigured and mutilated. Mr Reppas explained the rationale for returning to Athens (in the New Acropolis Museum) the Parthenon sculptures now in the British Museum, and methodically rebutted the arguments used by the British Museum for its continued retention of the sculptures. The British Museum’s ownership claim to the sculptures is without any legal basis, emphasized Mr. Reppas. He concluded by inviting Americans to become engaged in this worthwhile effort – “it is time,” he said, “for the voice of America to be heard alongside all other nations of the world who support the goal of the reunification of the Parthenon sculptures.”
An audience in excess of 170 attended the event. Present were the Honorable Karolos Gadis of the Embassy of Greece; professors and academics from various Universities of the Washington area and of the Center for Hellenic Studies, Harvard University; representatives of the “Prometheas” Cultural Society and of the “Society for the Preservation of Greek Heritage” that cosponsored the event; representatives of the White House Historical Association; as well as numerous leading members of Washington’s Greek-American community.
The Committee plans to take its public education message to other US cities over the next few months.
Greece renews efforts to secure return of marbles
Submitted by Communications ... on Sat, 2007-04-07 18:12Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis says that the UK has now run out of "feeble excuses" for not returning the Parthenon Sculptures.
He went on to say that "The universal demand for uniting the marbles of the Parthenon is gaining in strength and reach..." "...This and the completion of a new, super-modern museum ... will foil all the feeble excuses that are put forward for their non-return. It is our urgent priority to reclaim every ancient artefact that was illegally exported to museums and collectors abroad."
You can read the article in full in The Guardian.
Canada joins the International Association for the Reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures
Submitted by Communications ... on Fri, 2006-12-15 18:08“Canadians Launch Renewed Campaign for the Return of the Parthenon Marbles”
London, England. - Steve Ashton, the Chair of the Canadian Committee for the Return of the Parthenon Marbles ,announced today that Canadians are launching a renewed campaign for the return of the Parthenon Marbles and that the Canadian committee will be joining the International Committee for the Return of the Parthenon Marbles. Mr Ashton made the call after visiting the British Museum in London. He will be visiting the new Acropolis Museum on Monday.
Mr. Ashton said that the renewed campaign coincides with the completion of the new Acropolis Museum in Athens in 2007. “Our position is clear. We believe the Marbles should be returned to Greece where they belong. With the completion of the museum we believe the time is right for the British Museum to make a historic gesture and return them.”
Mr. Ashton, who is the Intergovernmental Affairs Minister for the Province of Manitoba, Canada, said there is increasing support for the return of the Marbles, including in Britain itself. There have also been several sculptures that have been returned to Greece from other museums in recent months. .”The Parthenon Marbles are of universal cultural significance. They were literally chiseled off the Parthenon and taken to Britain by Lord Elgin in the early 19th century. Since that time many people have fought to have the Marbles returned to Greece.” he pointed out.
The original Canadian campaign was launched in 2000 and involved a successful petition campaign calling for the return of the Marbles. In 2004 a motion calling for the return of the Marbles was introduced by John Cannis MP and passed by the House of Commons.
In conclusion Mr. Ashton said the campaign will continue no matter what. “Whether it takes 6 months or 60 years our dream of the return of the Parthenon Marbles will never die.”
For Further Information call Steve Ashton at 204-945-4067, 204-778-8602 (Manitoba) or 0870 333 9108 (London)
London, England. - Steve Ashton, the Chair of the Canadian Committee for the Return of the Parthenon Marbles ,announced today that Canadians are launching a renewed campaign for the return of the Parthenon Marbles and that the Canadian committee will be joining the International Committee for the Return of the Parthenon Marbles. Mr Ashton made the call after visiting the British Museum in London. He will be visiting the new Acropolis Museum on Monday.
Mr. Ashton said that the renewed campaign coincides with the completion of the new Acropolis Museum in Athens in 2007. “Our position is clear. We believe the Marbles should be returned to Greece where they belong. With the completion of the museum we believe the time is right for the British Museum to make a historic gesture and return them.”
Mr. Ashton, who is the Intergovernmental Affairs Minister for the Province of Manitoba, Canada, said there is increasing support for the return of the Marbles, including in Britain itself. There have also been several sculptures that have been returned to Greece from other museums in recent months. .”The Parthenon Marbles are of universal cultural significance. They were literally chiseled off the Parthenon and taken to Britain by Lord Elgin in the early 19th century. Since that time many people have fought to have the Marbles returned to Greece.” he pointed out.
The original Canadian campaign was launched in 2000 and involved a successful petition campaign calling for the return of the Marbles. In 2004 a motion calling for the return of the Marbles was introduced by John Cannis MP and passed by the House of Commons.
In conclusion Mr. Ashton said the campaign will continue no matter what. “Whether it takes 6 months or 60 years our dream of the return of the Parthenon Marbles will never die.”
For Further Information call Steve Ashton at 204-945-4067, 204-778-8602 (Manitoba) or 0870 333 9108 (London)
Resolution in Cypriot House of Representatives
Submitted by Communications ... on Thu, 2006-11-16 20:45RESOLUTION OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
The House of Representatives of the Republic of Cyprus,
Having debated the issue of the return of the Parthenon marbles to Greece, at its meeting today,
Resolves as follows:
- Joins its voice to that of other countries´ parliaments and the European Parliament and asks for the return of the Parthenon marbles to Greece, stressing the need of their reintegration to the temple of Parthenon, as an act, which would constitute a gesture of solidarity and mutual respect for the common European cultural heritage and the particular civilisations that shape it.
- Expresses its undivided support to Greece and Greeks all over the world, in their efforts to bring the marbles home.
- Calls upon the Government of the United Kingdom to exercise its influence so that the British Museum positively examines and responds to Greece’s request for the return of the Parthenon marbles to the place of which they form an integral part, contributing through this gesture to the reinforcement of the message of cooperation, peace, solidarity and mutual respect across Europe.
- Calls upon all countries, European in particular, to positively assist Greece in its efforts to bring the Parthenon marbles back home, a gesture, which can constitute the beginning for the return of other cultural monuments to the States they belong to.
- Calls upon UNESCO, which chose the ancient Greek temple as its emblem, as well as upon other international cultural bodies, to exercise substantial pressure for the return of the Parthenon marbles without delay to the country where they really belong, for they constitute an integral part of the collective memory and history of the Greek people and a symbol of democracy, which their homeland gave birth to and passed on as a gift to humanity.
9 November 2006
Brasileiros em defesa do Partenon
Submitted by Communications ... on Sun, 2006-07-02 10:45An article on Brazilian initiatives to reunite the Parthenon sculptures in Athens has been covered by Jornal do Brasil, a national newspaper in Brazil.
An electronic copy of the article can be read on the newspaper's website here:
Brasileiros em Defesa do Partenon