For the Parthenon sculptures spoke the famous Scottish Succession actor and world-class theater star, Brian Cox, who was clearly in favor of their return from British Museum.
Brian Cox, speaking to ERT on the occasion of the world premiere of the documentary The Marbles at the Stirling Documentary Festival in Scotland, takes a clear position in favor of the return of the Parthenon Sculptures to Greece from the British Museum, stressing that “it is time to simply say: let them go”.
When asked about when the issue of the Sculptors became personal for him, he characteristically replied: “It is so obvious that the Elginian Marbles must be returned to Greece. It shouldn’t be in the British Museum.
I know it will be a hard pill to swallow, but we have to look at it historically; the marbles were acquired then, and there is still no legal redress of what that deal was, but they were acquired when Greece was under Turkish occupation.
So, in a way, it’s a false time to take anything out of Greece.
Since they are Greek, they must return to Greece. It makes sense. And I think we have to be mature enough and brave enough to say: let them go.”
“They do not belong in the British Museum”
Cox was also clear when asked about the main argument for reunification: “They don’t belong to us. It’s that simple. They do not belong to the British Museum. They came through Lord Elgin, but it was something legally questionable. I don’t see what the issue is.
When you remove something from its environment, you reduce it, alienate it from its place. It must be restored to where it came from.”
“The Marbles are the Parthenon”
Commenting on the argument that the Sculptures are now part of British heritage, he was unequivocal: “The Marbles are the Parthenon. It’s that simple. They became part of British heritage under dubious circumstances.
We have no right to own them. It’s like taking the Eiffel Tower and putting it in Blackpool.”
“The next step is clear”
On the steps that could bring the reunion closer, the actor noted: “It makes sense. They come from Greece. They were removed at a time when Greece had no say; it was under Turkish occupation. It is still doubtful to find the details of this agreement, they were lost to time. But they are not the Elginia Marbles, but the Parthenon Marbles. Now Greece is stable and the Marbles must return. So simple.”
“If they were in Scotland they would have been returned years ago”
Brian Cox closed with a telling example: “If the Marbles were in Scotland they would have been returned years ago. Now they have been preserved, Greece is stable and they must go back. That simple. End of story.”
When asked: ‘If you had one line to say to the British Museum?’, the multi-award-winning actor replied bluntly: ‘Put the Marbles back where they come from.’
The documentary The Marbles
The interview took place on the occasion of the documentary The Marbles by director David Wilkinson, which records the historical, political and cultural context surrounding the claim of Greece.
The film will have its world premiere on October 30 at the Stirling Documentary Festival in Scotland, re-opening the debate on the return of one of the most important cultural symbols to its natural setting, the Parthenon.