Britain: Sunday Times readers say ‘Yes’ to the return of the Parthenon Sculptures

78% of Sunday Times readers say “yes” to the return of the Parthenon Sculptures to Greece, according to a poll carried out by the newspaper with the question “Should the Elginian Marbles be returned to Greece?”. 11,315 people participated in it, of which only 22% had the opposite opinion.

This is yet another positive development in Greece’s constant request for the reconnection of the Phidias Sculptures, which in recent months has gained an unprecedented momentum. A fact that is reflected, among others, in a multitude of British publications. Even the historical conversion of the Times newspaper, where after many years it changed its position on the specific issue, is characteristic.

“For more than 50 years, artists and politicians have argued that these artefacts so fundamental to a nation’s cultural identity should be returned to Greece. The museum and the British government, with the support of The Times newspaper, resisted this pressure. but times and circumstances have changed. The sculptures belong to Athens. And they must now be returned,” she wrote in her main article on January 12, 2022.

And a YouGov poll in the United Kingdom last November showed that 59% of respondents believe that the Sculptures belong to Greece, while only 18% answered that they belong to Britain. The remaining 22% said they had no opinion.

Also noteworthy is the statement of the deputy director of the British museum, Jonathan Williams, who just a week ago proposed “cooperation” on a new basis between Athens and London. “I strongly believe there is room for a renewed dynamic and positive debate to find new ways of working together,” he said in an interview with the Sunday Times culture magazine.

Source: AMPE