Marble

A 36-year-old man was arrested in the town of Mesolongi on Friday for the illegal possession of antiquities which he had attempted to sell on the internet, following an operation of the Cultural Heritage Department of the Thessaloniki Police.

The ancient objects were being kept in a warehouse in Athens.

Melina Mercouri stated in 1986, during her initial efforts in advocating for the return of the Parthenon Marbles, “What does Big Ben & St Paul’s Cathedral mean to England?”

In the last few months there have been encouraging signs that what Cavafy might have termed "mia kapoia lysis" to the vexed question of the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Athens might be found.

There is indeed a basis to the opposition's fear that the government will use a possible return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece in its pre-election campaign to garner votes. They would be stupid not to. Wouldn't the other political parties do likewise if they were in power?

In the wake of the pandemic and having to manage new crises in energy, transport and supply chain, Greek companies in the marble sector are looking to pick up pace in a difficult global environment.

Mendoni reacted to an interview by the UK Culture Minister that the Parthenon Marbles would not return to Greece

“There are indeed many objects of historical value that must be returned to their original owners. However, none of them is as important as the Marbles of the Parthenon”

After the Washington Post, it was the Sunday Times that ran an opinion piece last month in favor of the return of the Parthenon Marbles, framing it in the context of Brexit.

Greece distanced itself on Wednesday from suggestions that it planned to drag a centuries-old dispute over the return of the Parthenon marbles into Brexit negotiations.

Government spokesman Stelios Petsas said Athens would keep up its campaign for the return of the 2,500-old treasures and will consider which tools could support its cause.

A mysterious subterranean structure, the Yerebatan Sarnıcı (Sunken Cistern in English) astonishes visitors with its enchanting marble columns and sculptures. (Photos: Alamy)