In a letter to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, eighteen members of the US House of Representatives have requested the repatriation of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece in 2021. As it became known from the British press, in their letter, eighteen US Congress members urged the British government to negotiate with the Greek government in earnest on the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece.
Responding to a question from reporters what further steps the Ministry of Culture and Sports will take following the letter sent by eighteen US senators, Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni said in a letter to the Congress members, who are chairing important congressional committees, that she was thankful and invited them to travel to Athens as soon as pandemic conditions permit. She also points out that “with this initiative, they reassert their admiration and respect for the values passed on the western world by classical antiquity” and that “it makes us believe that the new spirit of philhellenism that we see in Europe is firmly rooted beyond Atlantic.”
It is recalled that Democrats and Republicans emphasize, among other things, that “the Marbles have been the source of controversy among western allies for many decades. Greece has long wanted these Parthenon Marbles back. Today we send this letter as members of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues with which we call on your government to negotiate in earnest with the Greek government on the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece.”
“We remain appreciative of your efforts and goodwill in support of the historic special relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States, and look forward to strengthening that relationship through the accomplishment of matters such as this.”
It is worth noting that to date, despite calls from international organizations and recognized personalities for the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece, the British government has not responded yet.