Vantage | What Parthenon Marbles, Kohinoor say about British legacy of loot

A recent diplomatic dispute between the United Kingdom and Greece has intensified shedding light on Britain’s contentious history of cultural appropriation. The discord centres around the extensive looting of priceless artefacts from various parts of the world, which are currently housed in the British Museum in London. The focus of the tension, however, lies in Greece’s persistent efforts to reclaim the renowned Parthenon Marbles, a collection of 2,500-year-old marble sculptures that were pilfered in the early 1800s.

The United Kingdom stands accused of stealing numerous artefacts from around the globe, a collection that includes thousands of looted pieces of cultural heritage, particularly from Asia and Africa. Even Europe has not been exempted from this historical plunder with Greece emerging as a significant victim of Britain’s kleptomania. Parthenon Marbles Among the stolen treasures, the Parthenon Marbles hold a special place in the ongoing diplomatic dispute. Carved in ancient Greece, these 2,500-year-old marble sculptures originally adorned the Acropolis of Athens. However, in the early 1800s, Thomas Bruce, the Earl of Elgin, took them and they are now famously known as the Elgin Marbles in Britain, showcasing a somewhat boastful acknowledgement of the grand robbery. For years, Greece has been fervently seeking the return of the Parthenon Marbles, symbolising a key aspect of its cultural heritage. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has consistently advocated for the reunification of these marbles, drawing parallels to the absurdity of splitting the pieces, akin to dividing the Mona Lisa. Despite Greece’s diplomatic efforts, a 1963 law prohibits the British Museum from willingly returning any stolen artefacts. Failed diplomatic meeting The recent escalation in the diplomatic row occurred when British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak unexpectedly backed out of a scheduled meeting with the Greek counterpart. Sunak’s decision to cancel the meeting was seen as a response to Greece’s proposition for a partnership wherein the British Museum could loan out the marbles to Greece. This watered-down suggestion aimed at fostering cooperation was apparently met with further offence from the British side. “We offered a meeting with the deputy prime minister (Oliver Dowden), so very senior level meeting. Greek government chose not to take that up. You know, they’re entitled to take that view. And the prime minister set out clearly the government’s position about the Elgin Marbles. So I think the position is very clear,” said British Transport Minister Mark Harper. The cancellation of the meeting did not go unnoticed by the Greek public who expressed disappointment and disapproval. “It was a misstep, a diplomatic misstep on behalf of Britain. You discuss (things), even if you have an opposing opinion,” said jeweller Giorgos Cholevas, 67, commenting on the cancellation of the meeting. Firefighter Apostolos Liontos, 49, commenting on the issue said, “It was very bad, I would say it was a desecration of our country, these things don’t happen.” The Greek prime minister did not take the cancellation too kindly. “Anyone who believes in the correctness and justice of their positions is never afraid of opposing arguments,” said Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. The UK’s refusal to engage in discussions about repatriating stolen artefacts is not unique to the Parthenon Marbles. India’s Kohinoor Diamond, the Benin Bronzes and various other treasures remain locked away in London with Britain consistently avoiding dialogue on the return of these cultural pieces. As the diplomatic spat unfolds, the clash between the UK and Greece underscores the broader issue of restitution for stolen cultural artefacts. The refusal to engage in dialogue by the British government is viewed by many as a continuation of a tainted legacy of looting, raising questions about the ethical responsibility of nations to address historical injustices and restore stolen heritage to its rightful owners. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views. Read all the Latest News , Trending News , Cricket News , Bollywood News , India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.