While the controversy between Greece and the UK over the ownership of the Parthenon marbles is not new, Greek artist Hellena recently found a creative way to protest the British Museum’s continued refusal to return these pieces to her homeland. Hellena, an accomplished singer, songwriter, director, and composer, currently resides in London and staged a peaceful music protest at the museum on June 20, 2019. The protest was timed to accompany the release of her single, “The Parthenon Marbles (bring them back),” and took in the Duveen Gallery where the marbles are displayed. She performed the song ten times to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the opening of the Acropolis Museum in Athens. Hellena, supported by the British Committee for the Reunification of the Parthenon Marbles, hopes to bring awareness to the issue and right the wrongs of the past through the reunification of the Parthenon after 200 years.

Previously, the British Museum cited Greece’s lack of proper infrastructure as justification for their refusal to return the marbles. Since the opening of the Acropolis Museum, however, this excuse has grown thin. This museum has replicas of the missing pieces juxtaposed with the remaining sculptures to highlight the contrast and serve as a physical and ever-present reminder of the country’s history as a victim of looting. Members of the international legal community – including barrister Amal Clooney – have rallied around Greece’s efforts to protect its cultural heritage. After all, the UK was involved in the taking of numerous antiquities during the colonial period. However, it is a sensitive and complex issue which may prove difficult to navigate through a straightforward restitution request in the courts.

Instead, Greece prefers to offer alternative solutions. On September 2, 2019, the British Museum stated that it will consider loaning the Parthenon marbles after Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stated that he is willing to lend never-before-seen artifacts to the UK in exchange. This is a marked change from the Museum Director’s earlier statement that Lord Elgin’s original removal of the marbles was a “creative act.” Mitsotakis has acknowledged that the sculptures form part of humanity’s shared heritage, but stresses that their proper place is at the Acropolis. Nonetheless, a precondition for the loan is the acceptance of the lending institution’s ownership, which poses a potentially insurmountable obstacle, as the Greek position concerning Elgin’s theft remains firm. France has proven more amenable to the loan agreement.

While Greece decided not to pursue judicial action in this particular instance, it is still vigilant when surveying the global art market for looted items and takes legal measures when necessary. Amineddoleh & Associates currently represents the Greek Cultural Ministry in a civil case before the federal courts in New York, concerning the acquisition of a bronze horse which originated in Greece. The case is ongoing and demonstrates the need to distinguish fine arts from antiquities in cultural heritage disputes. Greek law provides the government with a constitutional mandate to protect the nation’s cultural heritage, which is exclusively owned by the state and its people. Limiting its recourse to judicial action would have far-reaching consequences for this country as well as other foreign cultural ministries and agencies tracking and attempting to recover their cultural heritage in the US. On a more personal note, Hellena’s protest demonstrates how deeply this issue resonates with Greek citizens, and all those who see the need to return cultural heritage items to their places of origin. We at Amineddoleh & Associates are poised to assist in cultural heritage disputes as we fully understand the legal and non-legal nuances affecting restitution debates.