Greek PM urges Burnham to return Elgin Marbles permanently

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has reiterated his call for the permanent return of the Elgin Marbles to Greece, emphasizing his belief in their rightful place in Athens. The plea comes as a recent statement from Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, made in 2023, resurfaced, advocating for the sculptures’ repatriation to Greece without any preconditions. Burnham’s prior endorsement of the return signifies a growing consensus on the matter, which Mitsotakis is leveraging to further his diplomatic efforts. The Prime Minister’s persistent advocacy underscores Greece’s ongoing campaign to reclaim the ancient artifacts, which have been a subject of international debate for decades. The Marbles, also known as the Parthenon Sculptures, were removed from the Parthenon on the Acropolis by Lord Elgin in the early 19th century and have been housed in the British Museum since. Greece maintains that the sculptures are an integral part of its heritage and should be reunited with other fragments in the Acropolis Museum.