ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

George Clooney renews call for return of Parthenon Marbles to Greece

cultural-heritage · 2026-04-27

George Clooney has reiterated his appeal for the Parthenon Marbles to be returned to Greece by the British Museum. In a conversation with Ta Nea, he highlighted their significance to Janet Suzman, who is the president of the British Committee for the Reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures. Clooney first addressed this issue in 2014, coinciding with the premiere of The Monuments Men, where he criticized the division of the Parthenon. The marbles were taken in the early 19th century by Thomas Bruce, the 7th Earl of Elgin, and subsequently sold to the British government. Despite a 2014 study indicating strong public support for their return, the British Museum has declined to comply. In 2009, Greece established the Acropolis Museum to display the original fragments.

Key facts

  • George Clooney called for return of Parthenon Marbles to Greece in interview with Ta Nea.
  • Clooney addressed Janet Suzman, president of British Committee for the Reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures.
  • Clooney first spoke on issue in 2014 during release of film The Monuments Men.
  • In 2014, Clooney said Parthenon was split in two and would be reunited, drawing criticism from Boris Johnson.
  • Marbles were removed by Thomas Bruce, 7th Earl of Elgin, in early 19th century and sold to British government.
  • Marbles are displayed at British Museum; UK institutions refuse return despite UNESCO mediation.
  • 2014 study showed only minority of UK residents oppose restitution.
  • Amal Alamuddin, Clooney's then-fiancée, advised Greece to take case to International Court of Justice; Greece chose diplomacy.
  • New Acropolis Museum in Athens, designed by Bernard Tschumi, opened in 2009 housing original frieze fragments and plaster casts of missing parts.

Entities

Artists

  • George Clooney
  • Janet Suzman
  • Thomas Bruce, 7th Earl of Elgin
  • Phidias
  • Amal Alamuddin
  • Boris Johnson
  • Bernard Tschumi

Institutions

  • British Committee for the Reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures
  • British Museum
  • Ta Nea
  • The Art Newspaper
  • UNESCO
  • International Court of Justice
  • Acropolis Museum
  • Artribune

Locations

  • Greece
  • United Kingdom
  • London
  • Athens
  • The Hague
  • Switzerland

Sources