Help Sitemap Home Skip Navigation Contact Us Disability Statement


EasyJet founder gets Elgin marbles campaign rolling

Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image

Published Date: 15 June 2008
By Liz Longden
THE multi-millionaire founder of easyJet, Stelios Haji-Ioannou, is set to launch a personal campaign for the reuniting of the Elgin marbles.
The controversial marble sculptures, which have been at the centre of a diplomatic dispute between Britain and Greece for decades, are split between the British Museum in London and the New Acropolis Museum in Athens.

However, the Greek-Cypriot e
ntrepreneur will take out full-page adverts in a number of British newspapers this week to argue the case for keeping the artworks in a single collection.

An open letter reads: "I think the time has come for the curators of the two museums to come to have a constructive dialogue.

"Away from the politics and name-calling, I feel there is now a win-win situation for both museums in the form of a cultural exchange. Therefore, art lovers worldwide might get the once-in-a-lifetime chance to see these masterpieces reunited."

As part of his campaign, Haji-Ioannou also plans to arrange for a ship to sail around Greece later in the year with the words 'Reunite the Parthenon Marbles' emblazoned on it.

The marbles adorned the interior of the Ancient Greek Parthenon in Athens, but a significant number were taken by Fife-born Thomas Bruce, the 7th Earl of Elgin, in 1801.

Although the removal was controversial even at the time, and was attacked by many of his contemporaries in Britain, the marbles were purchased in 1816 by the British Museum, where they remain to this day.

A new museum to house the remaining marbles has been built in Athens, just 280m from the Parthenon, and many feel that the Elgin marbles should now be returned to Greece.



Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 14 June 2008 7:34 PM
  • Source: Scotland On Sunday
  • Location: Scotland
 
1

Thomas J,

Dunfermline 15/06/2008 08:06:11
The news that the multi-millionaire founder of easyJet, Stelios Haji-Ioannou, is set to launch a personal campaign for the reuniting of the Elgin marbles by placing adverts in newspapers is interesting, but hardly a new idea.

Various bodies have diplomatically campaigned for years to have the Parthenon Marbles reunited with the Parthenon. These diplomatic attempts have all ended in failure and much as I admire Stelios for trying, I fear his attempts will share the same fate.

Most well-meaning people or groups trying to engineer a return of the Parthenon Marble seem to forget that they were stolen in the first place by the British Ambassador who then lied to Parliament about the theft.

The downright lies and theft by our Ambassador can not be dealt with diplomatically—would we negotiate with a burglar who had stolen from our house for a temporary return of our belongings?—the matter of the looting of these treasures from a country under occupation should be dealt with by the courts in a similar manner to Nazi booty.
2

Fairfax,

18/06/2008 13:12:55
1: "the matter of the looting of these treasures from a country under occupation should be dealt with by the courts in a similar manner to Nazi booty."

But then where do we stop? Athens was itself an imperialist naval power, looting money (and sometimes goods) from its earlier allies against the Persians: the Acropolis was built with funds from this exploitation. In what sense, therefore, is the Parthenon wholly Greek? Perhaps we should assign some ownership to other nations comprising remnants of the Athenian League.

3

Thomas J,

Dunfermline 24/06/2008 12:54:08
Fairfax, what the article above covers is the Parthenon or Elgin Marbles which were obtained by blatant fraud and deception on the part of the Earl of Elgin.

Stelios would spend his money more wisely if he engaged a top QC to have this proven in court. This would be a simple matter as the documentation is compelling on the fraud and deception of Parliament.

As such the posession of the marbles by the UK Government and the British Museum is illegal. They are handling stolen property.

No amount of legislation can cover up this type of plunder by Imperial powers--and yes if the case can be made against Greece then the same should happen with their plunder--as Lord Denning once pointed out: The centuries old legal principal, Fraus omnia vitiate, “Fraud vitiates everything” means that "No judgment of a Court, no order of a Minister, can be allowed to stand if it has been obtained by fraud. Fraud unravels everything."

Get the lawyers Stelios and save your money.

4

Fairfax,

25/06/2008 10:01:18
Thomas J (3): "No amount of legislation can cover up this type of plunder by Imperial powers--and yes if the case can be made against Greece then the same should happen with their plunder-"

Well, at least that's consistent. I'm sure the Greeks will be delighted to learn that Turkey, Albania and Macedonia all have some claim to partial ownership of the Parthenon, since the money to build it was taken from member states of the Athenian League now in those nations.
5

Paul in Oz,

Helensburgh 26/06/2008 07:19:57
Let's dismantle the Vatican aswell they stole all of the marble and gold from the Pagan temples tpo build their shrine to Jesus.

While we are at it i am sure we coule return the holy grail those ba$%ard knights templar leaving it in Rosslyn Chapel.

I am also sure that portugal will give all of the spoils from its empire back to the people of South America and the Soviets will retunr the wealth they developed from the people of Asia.

Lets not stop there!

America should give back its occupation of Cuba and South American territories and the we should give back Hong Kong, Germany should be reunited.

Also there should be peace in Northern Ireland!
6

GrahamH,

Edinburgh 29/06/2008 10:45:45
One of the major points of museums is to show children and scholars, art and cultures from around the world.

Every museum would empty, both in the cabinets and in educational value, if we were to repatriate contents.

We are where we are, evry museum has debateable origin of contents which would not be acceptable today.
7

Maisie from Morningside,

04/07/2008 01:03:44
FAIRFAX... Have you been reading Thucydides again?
You're spot on with the info.
However remember that Anatolia/ Asia Minor (whatever) is currently occupied by Asiatics calling themselves Turks who , of course, have no claim on classical era treasures since they didn't turn up until 1700 years later!!
8

Fairfax,

08/07/2008 20:08:28
Maisie (8): "However remember that Anatolia/ Asia Minor (whatever) is currently occupied by Asiatics calling themselves Turks who , of course, have no claim on classical era treasures since they didn't turn up until 1700 years later!!"

The Turks took control of Asia Minor after the Battle of Manzikert, in 1071, so it's not quite 1700 years, although I agree with your general point.
However, they can still claim part-ownership on the argument that some of the descendants of the Athenian League still live in Turkish-controlled areas. Still, I agree assigning ownership is a can of worms best left closed.

 

Comment on this Story

 

In order to post comments you must Register or Sign In

 
 
RSS Feed of this article's comments
Delivery formats: RSS, Atom, Javascript & Email
 
  

 
 


Sister Newspapers:
Press Complaints Commission

This website and its associated newspaper adheres to the Press Complaints Commission’s Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then contact the Editor by clicking here.

If you remain dissatisfied with the response provided then you can contact the PCC by clicking here.