The Greek Museum at the Acropolis launched an exhibition on Tuesday including a famous Greek water jug dating from 420 BC, on loan from the British Museum. P.A. reports.
The exhibition takes place during a conflict between the countries over Greek demands for the return of sculptures from the Parthenon temple on the Acropolis which are kept at the British Museum.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak canceled a planned meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in London a week ago, accusing him of seeking to “grandstand” by publicly campaigning for the return of the Parthenon marbles during of his visit to Great Britain.
Sunak stressed that his government had no plans to reopen the case or change legislation that would block the return of the artifacts.
The ancient Greek vase dating from 420 BC – the Meidias Hydria – on loan from the British Museum, is on display during a media tour ahead of the Greek Acropolis Museum officially launching the exhibition ‘Meanings, Personifications and allegories from Antiquity to the present day, in Athens. Tuesday, December 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Thanasis Stavrakis)
Mitsotakis described the incident as “unfortunate timing” but added that the campaign for their return had received momentum after Sunak’s cancellation attracted international attention.
The British Museum said it was continuing discussions with Greek authorities and the Acropolis Museum, raising hopes in Athens that a deal could be reached to display the sculptures in Greece. On Tuesday, Acropolis Museum director Nikolaos Stampolidis said his museum had “excellent relations” with the British Museum and expressed confidence that the Parthenon marbles would eventually be returned.
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