The centuries-long debate over the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece was reignited this week during a high-profile event in London, organized by the Parthenon Project — a group advocating for what they call a long-overdue act of cultural justice.

Speaking to a packed audience, British actor, writer, and outspoken supporter of the Marbles’ return, Sir Stephen Fry, did not mince his words.

“Returning the Parthenon Marbles to Greece is easy. All that’s needed is political will. Let’s not hide behind legal technicalities — that’s a British absurdity,” Fry said. “My country looks increasingly foolish as this issue drags on. The Greeks have been waiting patiently for 200 years. Now is the time for Britain to act with dignity and class, and finally return these treasures to their rightful home.”

A Fragile Breakthrough — But Still No Resolution

Discussions between Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis, and British Museum Chairman George Osborne (formerly the UK’s Chancellor of the Exchequer) have made significant progress over recent years. But a final agreement remains elusive.

“I am optimistic,” said Mareva Grabowski-Mitsotaki, wife of the Greek Prime Minister and a founding member of Endeavor Greece, an organization supporting Greek entrepreneurship. Speaking in her personal capacity, she stressed that the issue is far more profound than a simple repatriation of artifacts:

“This isn’t about returning a few statues. It’s about reuniting a fragmented masterpiece that only tells its full story when seen whole. No one in Greece would like to see empty museums. If the Marbles are reunited in Athens, Greece is willing to share many of its treasures in temporary exhibitions in London.”

However, she firmly rejected the British Museum’s suggestion of “loaning” the Marbles to Greece while retaining legal ownership:

“How would the British feel if someone took pieces of Stonehenge and then offered to lend them back? This back-and-forth between the British Museum and government is simply a delaying tactic. Talks have been ongoing for over three years. With the British Museum now undergoing renovations, the time for a solution is now.”

Broad Support from British Politicians

What’s striking is that the campaign for the Marbles’ return is increasingly supported not just by the Greek government, but by prominent British politicians across party lines.

“The museum of the future must care for people, not just objects. Objects have stories, and the Marbles are part of a divided work of art. The British people overwhelmingly support reunification. Our government must finally align with public opinion,” said Baroness Thangam Debbonaire, former Labour shadow culture secretary and co-chair of the Parthenon Project.

Lord David Frost, a Conservative peer best known as the chief Brexit negotiator under Boris Johnson, echoed the sentiment:
“Let’s right this historic wrong by returning the Marbles as a gift to Greece. This isn’t about ownership — it’s about political will, and public opinion in Britain is firmly in favor.”

Lord Ed Vaizey, another Conservative and Britain’s longest-serving former culture minister, agreed:
“Returning the Marbles would be an act of altruism — but also a win-win solution for both countries.”

The Lone Voice of Opposition

The only dissenting voice at the event was Lord Stephen Parkinson, former junior culture minister in Rishi Sunak’s Conservative government. His defense of the status quo drew visible discomfort from some in the audience:

“The British Museum itself is a monument and does an excellent job. The Parthenon Marbles are its legal property,” he insisted. He argued that the only solution would be for Greece to accept the Marbles as a long-term loan — but only if Greece first recognizes British ownership, a position Greece has long rejected.

The Case for Cultural Reunification

The panel discussion, titled “Redefining Cultural Collaboration Between the UK and Greece: What Future for the Parthenon Marbles?”, was moderated by Katie Razzall, BBC’s Culture Editor, who called the Marbles saga “one of the most fascinating stories I’ve ever covered.”

Among those in attendance was Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain, representing the Greek Orthodox Church in the UK.
“The Marbles do not belong to Britain, nor to any museum. They belong to the monument they were stolen from — the Parthenon. I hope efforts toward reunification will continue, and I call upon the British government to do the right thing,” he told Ta Nea.

The Parthenon Project’s Proposal

The Parthenon Project aims to broker a lasting cultural partnership between Greece and the UK: permanent reunification of the Parthenon sculptures in Athens in exchange for regular temporary exhibitions of other Greek antiquities in British museums — a solution designed to be mutually beneficial.

The event was attended by a wide range of officials, including Greece’s Ambassador to the UK Ioannis Tsaousis, senior Foreign Ministry legal advisor Artemis Papathanasiou, British Museum curator Tom Harrison, and Cambridge University’s renowned Hellenist Paul Cartledge, Vice-Chair of the British Committee for the Reunification of the Parthenon Marbles.