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Kyriakos Mitsotakis – Reunion of the Parthenon Sculptures, in the place where they were born, Greece
The Prime Minister spoke about an “exiled” part of the Parthenon Sculpture collection in London, asking Britain for a bona fide dialogue with Greece.
Greece’s rightful request for the return of the Parthenon Sculptures was reiterated by the Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, in his speech on the completion of 75 years since the founding of UNESCO.
“There can be no dialogue between nations, if there is no dialogue between cultures, something that presupposes respect for the history, heritage and identity of each nation,” said Mr. Mitsotakis, adding:
“In my opinion, this means that emblematic monuments, which are inextricably linked to a nation’s identity, should be a matter for that nation.”
The Prime Minister, referring to the issue of the Parthenon Sculptures, stressed that they are an extremely important part of the world cultural heritage and at the same time perhaps “the most important symbolic connection between modern Greeks and their ancestors.”
For the most part, continued Mr. Mitsotakis, this collection is on display at the Acropolis Museum, a few hundred meters from the Parthenon.
“The fact that one can see at this point, in their birthplace, the Parthenon Sculptures, visually connected to the monument that gives them their universal radiance, is something that is very important,” he said.
However, he added, “as long as part of the collection remains in exile in London, this dimension will not be fully appreciated. For this reason “, he underlined,” I believe that it is necessary for the Sculptures of the Parthenon, located in London, to be reunited with most of the collection of Sculptures of the Parthenon located in Athens “.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis also referred to the UNESCO decision-station for the Parthenon Sculptures.
Last September, he said, a “pivotal step” was taken by the UNESCO Intergovernmental Commission for the Promotion of the Return of Cultural Property: “For the first time, it unanimously adopted a decision recognizing that therefore, the obligation to return the Parthenon Sculptures is entirely up to the government of the United Kingdom ”.
“I ask for a bona fide dialogue with Britain”
“The United Kingdom should enter into a good faith dialogue with Greece. And I ask them to do it “, said characteristically, at the end of his speech, Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
He added: “Besides, this year marks the 200th anniversary of the beginning of the Struggle for the Independence of Greece. “There could not have been a better time than this for the return of the missing section and the reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures, in the place where they were born, Greece”, the prime minister concluded characteristically.
Education, science and culture, the fundamental pillars of peace and prosperity ”
In his speech, the Greek Prime Minister also referred to the opportunity presented, on the occasion of the celebration of the anniversary of the founding of UNESCO, “to reaffirm”, as he said, “the commitment of our countries to the founding spirit of this important International Organization “the building of peace among peoples through the exchange and reciprocity of moral and spiritual virtues, as Aristotle would say.”
Greece was one of the founding members of UNESCO, added Mr. Mitsotakis, emphasizing: “It is not only our trust in the principles of multilateral cooperation that explains our commitment. It is also our belief that there can be neither peace nor prosperity without dialogue between the nations around these three fundamental pillars: education, science and culture. ”
He referred to the important role of education, but also to the possibilities offered by science and technology:
“We believe in education: it is the only way to understand the operation of a world that is becoming increasingly complex.
We also believe, ladies and gentlemen, in the myriad possibilities offered by science and technology. Earlier this week, in Olympia, we saw the power of technology, with the inauguration of the ‘Ancient Olympia: Common Place’ project, a unique partnership with Microsoft that leverages the power of artificial intelligence and opens new avenues for a whole new experience in how we can get in touch with our cultural heritage and what it symbolizes.
One can now experience the size and depth of Olympia, as it was in the past, at the archaeological site itself or remotely, from anywhere in the world, using the most modern augmented reality tools.
We are talking about the use of innovation, with the aim of opening new avenues for the preservation of cultural heritage but also the ability of citizens to get in touch with it – a mission that is becoming increasingly vital, in an era of great change.
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Source:- https://www.in.gr/
