Italy to Return Parthenon Fragment to Greece in Landmark Restitution Deal
A fragment of the Parthenon frieze will be returned from the Museo Archeologico Regionale Antonino Salinas in Palermo to the Acropolis Museum in Athens, allowing it to join other marbles. This agreement, established between the Sicilian Department of Culture and Heritage and the Greek Ministry of Culture, also encompasses cultural collaborations like joint excavations and loans. This restitution aligns with a broader global discussion on the return of cultural artifacts, a topic emphasized by Emmanuel Macron's 2017 commitment to return items to Africa. Notably, the Parthenon marbles represent Western civilization. Importantly, this agreement does not alter the British Museum's ownership of the Elgin Marbles. The first return of a Parthenon fragment took place in 2006.
Key facts
- The fragment is from the Parthenon frieze and is housed at the Museo Archeologico Regionale Antonino Salinas in Palermo.
- The agreement was signed between the Greek Ministry of Culture and the Sicilian Department of Culture and Heritage.
- The fragment will be exhibited at the Acropolis Museum in Athens.
- The deal is part of a broader trend of restitution demands for cultural artifacts removed from their countries of origin.
- Emmanuel Macron promised in 2017 to return African cultural goods within five years.
- France returned 26 objects from the Abomey treasure to Benin in November 2021.
- Heidelberg University was the first to return a Parthenon fragment in 2006.
- The agreement includes cultural cooperation such as loans, joint excavations, and professional exchanges.
Entities
Institutions
- Museo Archeologico Regionale Antonino Salinas
- Acropolis Museum
- Greek Ministry of Culture
- Sicilian Department of Culture and Heritage
- British Museum
- UNESCO
- European Parliament
- Musei Vaticani
- University of Heidelberg
- Artribune
- BonelliErede
Locations
- Palermo
- Italy
- Athens
- Greece
- Burkina Faso
- France
- Benin
- Germany
- Netherlands
- Belgium
- United Kingdom
- Rome
- Vatican City
- Vienna
- Austria
- Munich
- Copenhagen
- Denmark
- Heidelberg