British Museum mortgage to Greece coincides with dispute over demand to return Parthenon Marbles

ATHENS, Greece — Greece’s Acropolis Museum launched an exhibition Tuesday that features a famend historical Greek water jug from 420 B.C. on mortgage from the British Museum.

The exhibit comes throughout a dispute between the international locations over Greek calls for for the return of sculptures from the Parthenon temple on the Acropolis which can be housed within the British Museum.

U.Okay. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak canceled a deliberate assembly with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in London every week in the past, accusing him of searching for to “grandstand” by publicly campaigning for the return of the Parthenon Marbles whereas visiting Britain.

Sunak mentioned his authorities had no intention of re-opening the problem or amending laws that might block the artifacts’ return.

Mitsotakis described the incident as “an unfortunate moment” however added that the marketing campaign for his or her return had obtained a lift after Sunak’s cancellation drew worldwide consideration.

The British Museum mentioned it was persevering with talks with Greek authorities and the Acropolis Museum, elevating hopes in Athens that an association may very well be reached to show the sculptures in Greece. On Tuesday, Acropolis Museum director Nikolaos Stampolidis mentioned his museum maintained “excellent relations” with the British Museum and expressed confidence that the Parthenon Marbles would finally be returned.

“After all, culture is not only about art. It’s also about relationships,” he mentioned. Excavated in southern Italy, the water jug often called Meidias Hydria, thought-about to be a masterpiece of the Athenian potter Meidias, turned a part of the British Museum assortment 250 years in the past and has not left the London museum till now.

The jug will probably be displayed on the Acropolis Museum in Athens by means of April, when it should transfer to 2024 Olympics host metropolis Paris to be included in an exhibition on the Louvre Museum.

Just over 50 centimeters (19.5 inches) in peak, the vessel is embellished with scenes from Greek mythology together with an outline of Heracles, the legendary Greek hero famend for his energy. The Athens exhibition will open to the general public on Thursday.