Listening to British former Prime Minister Boris Johnson at an event in Washington, D.C. by Georgetown University's Institute of Politics cite as a defence that the Parthenon Sculptures should not be returned to Greece and should remain in Britain so that the metropolitan museums of Europe and the United States are not stripped bare really saddens me and at the same time shocks me.
First, it saddens me because for a former Prime Minister to make this unsubstantiated claim really makes me wonder in which age we live. At a time when the European Union is taking steps to ensure that the entire European Union 'educates' people about their rights as these are founded by the supreme European law, how can an entire state violate these regulations?
Every nation is proud of its cultural heritage. Any attempt to 'steal' this, is like depriving its cultural heritage which is protected by European regulations. Even in the case of our beloved Cyprus when the rare 4th century mosaics were stolen from the vandalised church of the Panagia Kanakaria in the village of Lythrankomi, the court ordered their return.
In this day and age when the issue of democracy is a sensitive one and we all see the occasional condemnation of any violation of human rights and, at a time when the 'voice of the people is the voice of God', Britain cannot 'block its ears' to polls that demand that the Greek sculptures be returned to Greece.
Let me also remind you, Mr. Johnson, that in 1986 when you were still a student, and after a meeting with the then Minister of Culture, Melina Mercouri, you wrote an article in favour of the return of the Parthenon sculptures. Obviously, at the time you were overwhelmed with sincere feelings and not with poor political manoeuvring. In 1986, you not only believed that the sculptures should be displayed 'where they belong', but also deplored how they were detached from the imposing edifice they once adorned.
'The Elgin Marbles should leave this northern, whisky-drinking guilt-culture and be displayed where they belong: in a country of brilliant sunlight and the landscape of Achilles ... They will be housed in a new museum a few hundred yards from the Acropolis' you wrote in the article.
With all due respect, Mr. Johnson, let me correct you on your above quote. We are not talking about the 'Elgin Marbles' but the Parthenon Marbles.
When people feel that their rights are being violated, they go to court. When an entire community feels that way, then they should do the same.
We must dispel the frustration and anger and we must seek our rights once again through justice. We did it then with the Kanakaria mosaics and we can do it now. Let us today, even as a small island, Cyprus, begin the valiant struggle for the return of the Parthenon sculptures. I call on you all to support this effort. As Greeks we have a moral obligation to our children to fight for the return of mythology to its home. It belongs to us, it belongs to them! Let us join forces as Greeks of Cyprus. It is good that each and every one of you support this effort. Join with me in taking legal action to return the Parthenon Sculptures. Support the effort by spreading 'Hellenism at home' everywhere.
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