19 th century A British ambassador removes some

19 th century: A British ambassador removes some of the finest sculptures from the Acropolis of Athens. The sculptures are shipped to Britain, ending up in the British Museum in London. 20 th century: UNESCO designates the Acropolis of Athens as a world heritage site. It recognises the Acropolis of Athens as the symbol of world heritage itself. 21 st century: The international community recognises and strongly supports the necessity for the return of the seized marbles to Athens. 2 3 4 1

Fighting againstincts, separation and possession

Trying to tell a sacred story while 60% of the Parthenon sculptures is still in London

Revealing the way to Wisdom

The sculptures of the Acropolis of Athens need to be reunited

9 + 1 reasons ΛΟΓΟ There are many reasons that the Parthenon sculptures must be reunited

exhibit 9 + 1 reasons The Parthenon sculptures, and all pieces of the Athenian Acropolis, only make sense as a whole ΕΚΘΕ The buildings and sculptures of the Acropolis of Athens are a monument representing key events and concepts of Greek history and mythology The new Acropolis Museum is the optimum exhibition hall designed to house all the Parthenon sculptures together as a complete exhibit

protection Since 1975, a unique program has been running in Athens the Acropolis Restoration Project Using state-of-the-art conservation technologies ΠΡΟΣ and ongoing investment driving cutting-edge conservation employing safe, sensitive cleaning methods that use laser technology, pollution deposits have been delicately removed revealing undamaged the patina and amazing detail of the frieze in Athens image © S. Mavrommatis Reuniting the Acropolis sculptures is the ultimate act of antiquity conservation awaiting action

history If something similar happened to a country’s monument today, we would simply condemn it as unacceptable. • At the time of the removal of the sculptures, the Greeks were fighting for independence • There was not any firman that allowed Elgin to take parts of the Acropolis away from Athens The creation of the Parthenon The Byzantium and its comes under sculptures Ottoman rule is completed 432 BC 1453 AD ΙΣΤΟΡ The new Acropolis UNESCO The first independent designates the Museum in Athens is ready and Elgin assaults Greek state Acropolis as a open to the public the Acropolis, Is formed World Heritage cutting sculptures site off its buildings 1801 1828 1987 2009

symbol The Acropolis of Athens symbolises • the unprecedented progress, cultural peak and passion for excellence in ancient Athens • the ancient Greek civilisation ΣΥΜΒ • the classical period in world history, its art, architecture, science, political reform and philosophy How can a museum be against the symbol of World Heritage • the foundations and beginning of Western civilisation keeping its pieces apart? • World Heritage (UNESCO) • a milestone in human civilisation and thinking

art The Parthenon is a masterpiece of ΤΕΧΝ architecture

art a breathing a structure unique architectural standard

art its curves and proportions render a it dynamic composition in space

flow ΡΟΗ World-class development projects have maximised the accessibility of a world monument to a world audience

flow The Unification of the Archaeological sites of Athens to a continuous archaeological, historical and cultural walk in the oldest capital of Europe (a major project by the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and the Ministry for the Environment, Physical Planning & Public Works) The new Athens International Airport the largest hub of air travel in southeastern Europe The extended metro network bringing tourists right at the doorstep of the Acropolis and other key archaeological sites and monuments The Acropolis Museum providing the optimum physical and conceptual conditions for the exhibition of all the Acropolis sculptures next to the Acropolis

flow The Unification of the Archaeological sites of Athens to a continuous archaeological, World-class projects in the oldest capital of Europe historic and cultural walk (a major project by the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and the Ministry for the Environment, Physical Planning & Public Works) The new Athens International Airport the largest hub of air travel in southeastern Europe accessibility The extended metro network bringing tourists right at the doorstep of the Acropolis monument and key archaeological sites the New Acropolis Museum providing the optimum physical and conceptual conditions for the exhibition of all the a world monument Acropolis sculptures next to the Acropolis! a world audience

unity It is about understanding and bringing people together ΟΜΟ Europeans are working on an advanced model of communication within the community. Museums are needed to explicitly promote this effort, not undermine it.

Phidias One creation, one project. Coordinated by one artist ΦΕΙΔ ' According to Professor J. M. Cook in his account of the Parthenon's construction, "Practically every block in it is unique so as to fit the tilts and curvatures. Such extravagance could never be afforded again. " And, as he also puts it, "the Parthenon style is the classical style par excellence ". [. . . ] The idea is balance and symmetry, summed up in the triad of the metopes, the frieze and the pediments. ' (excerpt from 'The Elgin Marbles' by Christopher Hitchens) image © Artmedia Press

ethics • Museums are meant to extend beyond prestige to serve art integrity and respect • The Greek nation was never asked about the removal of its heritage treasures ΗΘΙΚ • Greece and the UK are fellow European States, connected with bonds of friendship v Did you know? Greece has offered to lend other precious treasures to the UK in return for the reunification of the Acropolis sculptures close to the monument

9 + 1 reasons ’

+1 ΑΛΗΘ 1 truth The Parthenon sculptures are part of the Parthenon

The monument will only be complete again when all its pieces are brought back together

The British Museum should not act as a gallery exhibiting ownership

but as an institution promoting education and unity beyond its physical borders

It is your support and awareness that will help the Acropolis sculptures return to Athens

The reunification is a matter of time and understanding

It’s already started

Reuniting the sculptures about is bringing people together

Acropolisof. Athens. gr Our generations will be inspired by complete world heritage monuments

The focus is now on the Acropolis Museum in Athens; not only because of the historical importance of the monument, but because of its great cultural depth and gravity in a world of civilisations. The permanent restoration of the Parthenon sculptures to a single, meaningful exhibit depends on everyone’s understanding; yours too Read more. The reunification has already started. www. acropolisofathens. gr/entry. html Acropolisof. Athens. gr - one monument, one heritage URL: www. Acropolisof. Athens. gr