A YouGov poll indicates that over half of Britons (53 percent) support the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece. The survey, released on Monday, gathered input from 4,280 adults across the UK.
Its release coincides with Greece’s PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis’s visit to London, where he is expected to raise the issue with his British counterpart, Keir Starmer, on Tuesday.
The question posed was:
“The British Museum in London houses the Parthenon Sculptures, a collection of classical Greek sculptures removed from the Parthenon in Athens over 200 years ago by Lord Elgin. Some believe Britain should return them to Greece, while others think they should remain here. Do you think Britain should return the Elgin Marbles to Greece or keep them in Britain?”
Of those surveyed, 53 percent supported their return to Greece, 24 percent believed they should remain in Britain, and 23 percent were unsure.
Parthenon Marbles to be raised at Mitsotakis-Starmer meeting
Mitsotakis will meet Keir Starmer for the first time on Tuesday at Downing Street. The longstanding Greek request for the reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures will be raised during the meeting. However, Greek government sources note that discussions on this issue primarily involve the British Museum.
The potential return of the Parthenon Sculptures has been the subject of what Britain’s Sky News described as “private meetings.”
According to the report on Monday, a senior UK government source revealed that Mitsotakis and Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis held up to three private discussions with British Museum trustees and its chair, George Osborne, about the possible repatriation of the 2,500-year-old sculptures this year.
The Greek government, however, has dismissed the report, saying that no secret meetings took place.
Starmer is believed to be more open to the idea of returning the sculptures. A source close to Starmer was quoted in the Financial Times, stating: “We are open to whatever is agreed. It’s right to say there is no strong view on what should happen.”
It will be their first meeting since November 2023, when Starmer, then the opposition leader, expressed openness to the idea of the sculptures returning to Athens during a discussion in London.
Greek officials are optimistic that Starmer’s stance remains unchanged and that the two men will pick up where they left off. Mitsotakis plans to emphasize the cultural and historical case for reunification, asserting that the sculptures “belong in their natural home” at the Acropolis Museum.
He has frequently likened the issue to dividing an iconic masterpiece, remarking, “Imagine splitting the Mona Lisa. Its beauty lies in its unity, as do the Parthenon Sculptures.
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
