Appeal for Reunification of the Parthenon Marbles | |
|
The
Parthenon above Athens is one of the world's most famous images, as are
the Colosseum, Stonehenge, the Pyramids, the Alhambra, the Eiffel Tower,
the Taj Mahal, and the Statue of Liberty, etc. These symbols represent
the heart and soul of their respective countries, and the pride of their
populations. Whether the battle over the Reunification of the Parthenon
Marbles is too political, the taking was a form of theft, or the
currently located marbles in London are safely preserved is not really
the debate anymore. In the world we all currently live in, travel to
almost any destination is within the reach of much of the world's
population, and cultural digital media is easily accessible, so
collecting items for local display is not as critical as it once was.
All artifacts from around the world should not need to be returned to
their countries of origin, but restoring the most important cultural
icons of a country seems a far more significant task.
The new Acropolis Museum was designed with large windows facing towards the Parthenon, so while protecting the marbles in a safe and environmentally sound space they can be viewed closest to their source, inspiring all who visit them. The marbles have achieved iconic stature and mythological significance to Greece and its people. There is no better way to understand a culture more deeply than to know and appreciate its mythos, its stories, its dreams. Thus, the return of the marbles becomes an emotional and sociological issue, regardless of historical facts. In this light, the entire world can appreciate the cultural importance of the location of the Parthenon Marbles. Perhaps Cavafy summed it up most eloquently in his poem Ionic: That we’ve broken their statues, |