Read why the sculptures will be reunited in Athens
  Access the dedicated Acropolis Museum info page
  Read writings by campaigners
  Read about World Heritage and the Acropolis

There is no greater act of antiquity conservation than reuniting the pieces of a monument as great as the Parthenon. It is a pending act of respect to be paid to its creators. Simply put, the world's generations have the unequivocal right to be inspired by a splendid symbol in its completeness!

The British Museum has been putting forward arguments against the return of the sculptures, defending persistently an act of plundering. They support the notion that the Parthenon sculptures were acquired following a legitimate agreement. But how unfair is it that, today, a supposedly educational institution fragments a masterpiece by holding its pieces apart? And, even worse, by doing so, on the basis of an obscure case of unfounded "legitimacy"...

In a desperate effort to justify their current stance, the British Museum often claims that Elgin's deeds were "a great act of conservation". Surely what they do not really mean by saying that is that Elgin used a saw to literally cut the sculptures off the temple, or that the British Museum later scraped layers of fine detail off their surface, in an effort to remove what they wrongly thought was discolouration.

The single valid point of the British Museum was the lack of a modern museum in Athens in the 20th century, which would have the capacity to house the sculptures, if returned. However, this argument has now expired...

The new, state-of-the-art Acropolis Museum, located near the original site of the Acropolis in Athens, is now ready and open to the public. Designed so that the Parthenon is visible through the huge panoramic window of the Parthenon exhibition hall, the Acropolis Museum naturally provides a direct physical and conceptual link between the Parthenon sculptures and the actual monument.

In recognition of the situation of the British Museum still holding the Parthenon sculptures in London, many important political and cultural figures have campaigned for their return in Athens. Not surprisingly, there has been a great movement in the UK as well, with many British MPs also campaigning for what will end an international embarrassment to the British cultural affairs. This campaign now enjoys numerous supporters, all realising that showing respect to grand monuments is a global issue of world heritage, beyond ownership or reputation.

  Read why the sculptures will be reunited in Athens
  Read writings by campaigners
  Access the dedicated Acropolis Museum info page
  Read about World Heritage and the Acropolis