The Parthenon marbles in Athens "legally" acquired by London, according to Boris Johnson - France 24

Athens (AFP)

The friezes of the famous ancient Parthenon temple in Athens that Greece has claimed for decades from the UK "have been legally acquired" and belong to the British Museum, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in an interview published by the daily on Friday. Greek Ta Nea.

This new refusal of London comes as Greece celebrates in two weeks the bicentenary of its independence, on March 25, 1821.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis officially requested the loan of the Parthenon friezes on this occasion.

The Downing Street tenant, who regularly spends his holidays in Greece, at his father's house, said "he understands the strong feelings of the Greeks and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on this problem".

But he left no hope for the repatriation of these ancient friezes detached from the Parthenon and shipped to London at the beginning of the 19th century by the British diplomat Lord Elgin.

"The British government has had a firm position for a long time on these sculptures: they were legally acquired by Lord Elgin, in accordance with the laws in force at the time. The curators of the British Museum have legally owned them since (the friezes, note) came into their possession, "said Boris Johnson unequivocally.

London has consistently refused to return these sculptures, also known as the Elgin Marbles, one of the masterpieces of the British Museum.

British authorities claim that the friezes had been taken away with the permission of the Ottoman rulers, who were occupying Greece at the time, but Athens considers it a "theft".

According to the Ta Nea newspaper, this is the first time that Boris Johnson has spoken out on this controversy as Prime Minister.

He had mentioned it, seven years ago, as mayor of London, during an altercation with the American actor George Clooney who demanded the return of the sculptures to Athens.

Supported by many personalities around the world, Athens has always wished to opt for the diplomatic channel, rather than instituting legal action.

She proposed mediation by Unesco, the UN institution responsible for culture and education, an offer rejected by the British Museum.

The Greek Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni reaffirmed in May 2020 "the relentless demand" from Athens "for a definitive return of the marbles to their homeland", considering that they had been the object of "looting" .

The Acropolis Museum has reserved a special place for the Parthenon friezes pending their return.

Currently only a replica is presented in the museum erected on 15,000 m2 since 2009 at the foot of the sacred rock, one of the most visited sites of the 5th century BC in the world.

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