Secret talks on Elgin Marbles

THE British Museum has been holding previously undisclosed talks with the Greek government over a proposal to return the Elgin marbles to Athens for next year's Olympics. The museum confirmed last week that it has been talking to the Greeks about lending them the marbles, despite repeatedly saying that they would always remain in Britain.

Work has now started on a £30m Acropolis Museum in Athens, which has been designed specifically to exhibit the marbles. Under the proposed deal, the exhibition space might formally be designated an annexe of the British Museum. Neil MacGregor, the British Museum director, confirmed for the first time last week that the museum would consider a loan.

This might also explain why the Greeks were so keen to proceed with the Acropolis Museum, despite protests about the site and questions about the wisdom of building a museum to house objects that might never be obtained. From the Sunday Times.

UPDATE: The British Museum is denying the Times report:

On Sunday, the Sunday Times claimed the museum was engaged in secret talks with Greek officials on a loan which might be implemented under EU supervision. But the museum said the report “seriously misrepresents” the nature of the talks.

“Conversations with Greek colleagues have focused not on the possible movement of the sculptures but on other areas of academic collaboration,” a statement said. “These discussions have also covered the significant loans the British Museum is making of Greek antiquities and European graphic art... to exhibitions to be held next year in association with the Cultural Olympiad in Athens.”

The museum said its trustees “cannot envisage any circumstances” under which it could allow the permanent removal of the Marbles from London to Athens, and “do not normally consent to the loan of objects considered to be central to the collection’s purpose.”

From Kathimerini. To be continued. . . .

Posted by David on August 3, 2003 10:25 AM