GREECE: Greek students form human chain around Acropolis Hill to demonstrate in favour of a return of the sculptures and friezes known as the Parthenon / Elgin Marbles from the British Museum in London.

About 2000 students on Tuesday (January 30) formed a circle around the Acropolis hill on which the Parthenon stands in Athens to demonstrate in favour of a return of the sculptures and friezes known as the Parthenon Marbles to the ancient Greek monument from the British Museum in London. The initiative was born during evening classes and students spread the word to schools across the country through discussing the issue on internet chat rooms. They created a campaign on the internet called the "Network for the Reunion of the Parthenon Marbles " writing 900 letters of protest, and gathering 65,000 signatures which they plan to send to the British Museum. The Parthenon and other 2,500-year-old marble temples on the Acropolis are seen as the epitome of the Golden Age of Athens. The students said the Marbles are their cultural inheritance and expressed hope that their actions would raise public awareness. "I strongly believe we can make a difference, of course there are some people that might be pessimistic but if we really believe in that cause we can make a difference," said 17-year-old high school student Maria Koudouroyianni. Evening class school teachers helped to organize the event with authorities in Athens and the Melina Mercouri Foundation. The late Greek actress and culture minister Melina Mercouri spearheaded a fiery campaign for the Marbles' return in the 1980s, describing them as looted national treasures. A trip to the Foundation by the students gave them the idea. "If you give young people a cause they become passionate about it and act on it. Look at what we have here - thousands of children from all over Greece have come here to protest for the return of the marbles." said Giorgos Hasiakis, secretary of the Athens tutors' union, who helped organise the event. The Parthenon Marbles, also known as the Elgin Marbles, were large sculptures that crowned the Parthenon. They were removed from the Acropolis in the early 1800's when Greece was under Ottoman occupation by the Earl of Elgin, Thomas Bruce, the British ambassador to the Ottoman empire at the time. Elgin received a mandate for their removal from the Ottoman sultan. In 1816 they were purchased by British Museum. Greece has engaged in a long campaign to return the marbles dating back two decades, gathering international support from cultural and academic circles. Greece is building a new museum at the foot of the Acropolis for the marbles, with a special gallery facing the Parthenon reserved for the sculptures. The British Museum has rejected calls for the marbles return, or for a long term loan, maintaining the marbles would be better protected in the British Museum. Greek Culture Minister George Voulgarakis has been leading a vigourous effort to repatriate other ancient antiquities looted from the country, hoping the efforts will culminate in the return of the Parthenon marbles.

ITN Source | January 30, 2007

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