Elgin Marbles

Again, nothing to do about running, but here is a story that is very dear to all Greek's hearts: The Elgin Marbles. Considering the recent opening of the new Acropolis Musuem, the case for the return of the Elgin Marbles, or rather the Parthenon Marbles, to the symbol of Western Civilization, the Parthenon, gains traction.

Under Ottoman rule, Lord Elgin looted the Parthenon of significant sculptures and friezes to bring them to London. He produced considerable damage to the marbles where he was forced to saw statues to prepare them for transport . For many years, the British Museum has claimed that if the marbles were to have never been stolen, they would have suffered considerable degradation and damage as they would have been exposed to the Athens smog, while the Greeks had no way of taking care of these pieces properly.

The Parthenon Marbles belong where they were meant to be seen, within the context that Pericles commissioned and Iktinos and Phidias intended. Much like a painting would not be complete if it revealed white spots on the canvas, so too the Parthenon is not complete without the Elgin Marbles.

The Parthenon is to be enjoyed by humanity in its natural state. The Elgin marbles are not mere artifacts to be viewed in a national museum for the Western world, rather they are a symbol of stolen Greek identity, history and civilization.

Museum Opening Ceremony. Projections and music. Needs volume.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWy1UzF8JVI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFlW9gd9REI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_oR7EmFnsQ&feature=related






Melina Merkouri, a famous Greek actress and Minster of Culture was the first to begin an aggressive campaign for the return of the marbles to their origin.




Melina Merkouri- Je Suis Grecque


Melina Merkouri and Anthony Perkins in Phaedra. While filming the movie, a scene was shot in the British Museum and the Parthenon wing, where Melina first got the idea for the reunification of the marbles.