Turkey Denies Ottoman Decree for Parthenon Marbles Sale to Elgin

“There was never an Ottoman firman (decree) which allowed Elgin to treat the Parthenon Sculptures with such brutality,” said Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni this week, adding that Turkey’s delegate attending the 24^th UNESCO session for the return of cultural property confirmed Greece’s long-standing argument.

“We are not aware of the existence of any document that legitimizes this purchase, which was made at the time by the colonizers of the United Kingdom, so I do not think there is any room to discuss its legality even (…) according to the law of the time. We eagerly look forward to celebrating the return of the Sculptures as we believe that it will signal a change in behavior towards the protection of cultural goods and will be the strongest message to be given worldwide,” Turkey’s representative at UNESCO, Zeynep Boz, told the 24th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for Promoting the Return of Cultural Property to its Countries of Origin or its Restitution in case of Illicit Appropriation (ICPRCP).

Commenting on the news from Rhodes, where she is on an official visit, Mendoni said the announcement overturns the British Museum’s arguments.

The return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece was on the agenda of the 24^th  ICPRCP session held at UNESCO headquarters in Paris last week.

Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni. Photo source: Culture Ministry

The issue of the illegally removed Greek sculptures has been on the UNESCO agenda for 40 years. Among others, Greece cited the poor maintenance and lack of care for the Marbles by the British Museum and the fruitless efforts for dialogue with the UK on the issue. During the session, UK said that under current law the return of the ancient Greek works of art is not possible, adding that the government has no intention of changing the existing law.

The Greek delegation reiterated its position that the Parthenon Sculptures comprise an integral part of Greek cultural heritage and identity and called on the UK to demonstrate its will to comply with UNESCO recommendations and decisions.

“Greece is, as always, open to dialogue,” said Mendoni.

The 2,500-year-old marble sculptures were illegally removed from the Parthenon by Lord Elgin in 1817 and later sold to the British Museum, where they are its among its leading and most profitable exhibits.