The Elgin/Parthenon Marbles

[tango15]

I see that talks are progressing between the Greek and British governments about the Marbles, (no not those little round things you played with as kids), being returned to Greece.
When we were trying very hard to persuade the Greek army to choose Challenger 2, two of our competitors (predictably the French and Germans*) went to some lengths to remind the Greek press that these stolen items were still on display in the British Museum. Cue a political backlash, saying that if the Marbles were not returned, we would not win the contract. During this time, I paid a visit to the museum, to see what all the fuss was about. Certainly, the museum had gone to great lengths to display them, and the view from those I spoke to was that they would never leave the museum, their rationale being that if they were released, then the Egyptians would come after the Rosetta Stone etc., etc. In a later conversation with The British Ambassador in Athens, he said that there is far more under the museum than there is on display, and that they would not have to look far to find new exhibits to replace the Marbles. I have heard the same said of the Hermitage in St Petersburg, but this is no doubt true of many large museums.
If the Marbles are returned, there will be much singing and dancing in Athens and elsewhere in Greece, and I wish them luck. No doubt our Greek correspondent will keep us up to date on this,

*The Germans won the contract with Leopard 2, but what a poisoned chalice it turned out to be. A forensic accounting team was sent from the EU, following which it was discovered that bribery had been taking place. The Defence Minister got a 10-year jail sentence, as did the head of purchasing for the MoD - a nasty piece of work if ever I met one. In the end, only half of the original order was purchased, and the Leopard was plagued with problems. Schadenfreude? Nein! After spending four years of my life on the programme, I just wanted us to win the contract!

[Ex-Ascot]

I am sure we will get a comment from Athens on this.

I am.sorry but if every museum in the world handed back it's artefacts to the country of origin we would have very boring museums. The Greeks should be pleased that we are educating people here, especially the young, in their culture and heritage. They were removed with permission of Ottoman officials. Elgin didn't just go up there and nick them. Someone may have noticed.

This idea of 'loaning' them. Forget it. We would never see them again.

[Rwy in Sight]

tango15 once again I am impressed by your knowledge of the Greek politics. Particularly that period when the Ministry of Defence was buying in an un-cordinated fashion no matter what. Like tanks without ammunition.

Obviously a lot of people in Greece would be happy. To be honest I was against their return until the new museum opened in 2009. I have been there a couple of times and probably it is the one of the places in Greece where no expense has been spared as far as maintenance is concerned. It is an impressive site and really fit to host those masterpiece in their national surrounding.

Ex-A there is always the possibility to host temporary exhibitions increasing the number of visitors to a museum.