More Britons back return of Parthenon relics, poll shows
Perhaps this piece from Kathimerini says more about sweeping change in attitude across the UK than anything else? What do you think?
A growing number of Britons support returning the Parthenon sculptures to Greece, with nearly one in three saying all looted or disputed artefacts in British collections should be sent back, The Times reported, citing a new poll.
The survey, carried out in late August by JL Partners for the Parthenon Project, found majority backing across political lines. About half of Reform and Conservative supporters said the sculptures should leave the British Museum and be returned to Athens.
Three-quarters of respondents said they favored their return when the British Museum begins its £1 billion renovation program, which will include closing the Duveen Gallery where the marbles are displayed.
Asked how they would vote in a referendum, 56% said the sculptures should be returned, compared with 22% who wanted them to remain in London. A similar poll last year showed 53% backed their return.
The survey also found 30% of respondents – including a quarter of Reform supporters – believed British museums should return all historically looted or contested artefacts. Just 11% said they should keep everything.
Quite apart from the moral arguments there is a huge aesthetic difference between the two locations. The Duveen gallery in the British museum is unavoidably drab, lacking the natural light (let alone sun!) which brings marble to life, whereas the magnificent sun-soaked Acropolis museum in Athens is perfect. What’s more, it faces the Acropolis, the natural home of the sculptures for more than two thousand years before Lord Elgin came along. So, by simply turning your head you can study the sculptures and then place them back on the Parthenon.
No contest!