
The German press is doting on the British Museum’s refusal to return the Parthenon Sculptures. “The British Museum’s claim to ownership of the so-called Elgin marbles is extremely controversial. It is not only rejected by Athens, but also by many experts”, writes TAZ under the title “Stolen Gods”.
The German newspaper observes: “Taking a closer look at the circumstances of this ‘purchase’ by Lord Elgin we find that the theft of pieces of the frieze from the Parthenon is, we might say, the mother of all art thefts committed by the great European powers in the East in the 19th century.
The claim, still made today in London, that Lord Elgin had written permission from the then Sultan Selim III is demonstrably false. The relevant firman does not exist, so it could never be presented. Recently the Turkish historian Orhan Sakin, a specialist in the Ottoman Archives in Istanbul, once again researched all the relevant documents. According to the historian, the only document related to the case is a copy of an Italian translation of a letter written to Lord Elgin by the Kaimakami of Athens, the highest Ottoman official in the city at the time. The letter states that Lord Elgin had permission to make plaster casts, but not to remove 2,400-year-old works of art from the Parthenon and ship them to London.
The original of Kaimakami’s letter does not exist. And there is certainly no other document from a higher-ranking Ottoman official. A firman of the Sultan, if it had existed, would certainly have been included in the archive because all such decrees are guarded with special care.”
Berliner Zeitung: “Return of Stolen Treasures”
“The British Museum’s persistent but successful stance on returning cultural treasures has long been seen as a model for other museums and cultural institutions around the world,” notes the Berliner Zeitung under the title “Returning Stolen Treasures.”
The German newspaper notes: “Despite the fact that Lord Byron‘s public disapproval of Lord Elgin’s actions is recorded in British cultural history, the belief prevailed in Britain more than elsewhere that what is included in museum collections is part of national heritage. Let’s not forget that the Museum Island in Berlin was also created on a British model as a place to collect cultural trophies from all over the world. The once mighty British Empire set the framework here as well. In Great Britain, the National Heritage Act was considered a law, which for a long time conflicted with the Greek request for the return of the Sculptors”.


Latest News

Newly Appointed Dep. Development Minister Aristos Doxiadis Resigns
His resignation has been accepted by the Prime Minister, and his replacement is expected to be announced in the coming days

Metropolitan Ioannis of Korce New Archbishop of Albania
Following the announcement of the election, church bells rang joyfully in Orthodox churches across Albania

Greece Faces Renewed Fears of Water Crisis Ahead of Summer 2025
Following a prolonged drought that began in 2024, fears of a water crisis highlight the urgent need for infrastructure improvements

Harvard, Yale, Columbia, and More Seek Collaboration with Greek Unis
Greece's former Minister of Education Kyriakos Pierrakakis announces an €82 million funding boost to support the partnerships

Greek Government Reshuffle Brings in More Young Technocrats
Greek PM Mitsotakis has brought in younger leaders and technocrats in a bid to accelerate the government's efforts at modernization and efficiency, according to New Democracy insiders

Greece’s New Government Members Sworn in at Presidential Mansion
Greece's new government members were sworn in on Saturday morning and head straight to work through the first meeting of the new cabinet.

Moody’s Upgrades Greece to Investment Grade, Ending Crisis Era
The rating agency raised Greece’s long-term credit rating to Baa3 from Ba1, with a stable outlook.

EFET on World Consumer Day: Humanity Faces New Challenges
This year’s message emphasizes the need for a transition to sustainable lifestyles while safeguarding consumers’ legally recognized rights. This means ensuring access to essential goods such as food and energy, as well as health and safety.

Athens Hotels Lead Europe in Value Growth for Third Year
Over the entire period from 2015 to 2024, the average annual increase in hotel value was 6.1%.

Unemployment Rate in Greece Down 8.9% in January: IOBE
The unemployment rate in Greece recorded a further decline in January 2025, reaching 8.9%, according to the latest Foundation for Economic & Industrial Research (IOBE) report.