The enduring controversy surrounding the Parthenon Sculptures, one of the world’s most prominent cultural property disputes, may see significant progress in 2025, according to The Economist’s The World Ahead 2025 report.
These 2,500-year-old artifacts, referred to as the Elgin Marbles in Britain, were removed from the Parthenon in the early 19th century by Lord Elgin, then British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire. They were transported to Britain, purchased by the British Museum in 1816, before becoming a centerpiece of its collection in London. Greece, which has accused Elgin of theft, has consistently called for their permanent return since gaining independence from the Ottoman Empire. However, these efforts have so far been unsuccessful.
“But in 2025, the marbles may finally be on the move – or, at least, negotiations about their status might take a big step forward,” The Economist notes, highlighting that many arguments against their return have been discredited.
Public opinion in Britain appears to be shifting in favor of repatriation. A 2023 YouGov poll revealed that 49% of Britons support returning the marbles, compared to just 15% who believe they should remain in the UK.
The British Museum’s credibility as custodian of the marbles has also been undermined by a recent scandal involving the theft of thousands of antiquities by museum staff.
“The idea that the British Museum is the only competent custodian for the marbles has always seemed slightly spurious, even more so after one of its staff was accused of pilfering almost 2,000 antiquities and selling them on eBay,” The Economist notes.
On an institutional level, both George Osborne, the British Museum’s chair, and Nicholas Cullinan, its reform-minded director, have shown openness to a long-term loan arrangement with Greece. Such an agreement could involve Greece loaning other antiquities in exchange, the Economist suggests. While a 1963 UK law prohibits the museum from permanently transferring ownership of its collections, loans offer a potential workaround.
“Greece has publicly rejected anything less than full ownership, but a swap of some kind remains the most realistic outcome,” The Economist observes. Temporary loans have been arranged before, such as a fragment of the marbles loaned to Greece by a Sicilian museum in 2022.
The political climate also appears favorable. “The prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has indicated that he would not stand in the way,” the report notes [via kathimerini.com]
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