British Museum to consider lending the Parthenon Marbles to Greece

The British Museum will consider any lending request for the Parthenon Marbles to Greece, museums officials said Monday afternoon. This is the museum reaction to an interview by Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who said he would ask the Museum to lend the Parthenon Marbles during the 2021 celebrations that will mark 200 years after the War of Independence from the Ottoman Empire.

In a statement to Skai TV correspondent in London, the spokesman of the British Museum said there has been no formal request by Greece, so far.

However, should there be a request for lending exhibits it is the managing commissioners who will examine it.

“The British Museum is committed to sharing its collection as widely as possible. As one of the world’s leading property lenders, last year we lent more than 5,000 items to venues in the United Kingdom and internationally, ” a spokesman for the London-based foundation said.

“The Commissioners will consider any loan request for any part of the collection. So far there has been no direct communication from the Greek authorities about the proposal made at the weekend, although the Museum has been working with Greek museums and institutions on a number of programs, “he continued.

Finally, commenting on Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ statement that he intends to submit the Greek request to his Boris Johnson counterpart, the spokesman said: “As a body governed by commissioners, any collection loan would be a matter for the Commissioners Museum, not the United Kingdom Government.” [skai]

PS Mitsotakis’ proposal for a culture swap with the British Museum coincides with Boris Johnson’s struggle for a new Brexit deal with the European Unions, as he said on Monday afternoon. So maybe the UK government needs a bit of Greek support with the help of British Museums commissioners…