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George Osborne hopes the British Museum can “attain an settlement with Greece” that might see the Elgin Marbles briefly returned in change for historical artefacts which have by no means been seen within the UK.
The chairman of the British Museum trustees, 52, stated “we might effectively not succeed, however we expect it’s price making an attempt” throughout his speech on the annual trustees’ dinner within the Duveen Gallery – residence of the Parthenon sculptures.
Greece has been campaigning for many years for the return of the artefacts, which as soon as adorned the Parthenon atop the Acropolis in Athens.
The nation has lengthy claimed they had been illegally acquired throughout a interval of overseas occupation, whereas British officers have rebuffed repeated calls for for his or her return.
“I hope we will attain an settlement with Greece,” former chancellor Mr Osborne stated throughout his speech.
“An settlement that permits these nice sculptures to be seen in Athens, in addition to London.
“An settlement that enables different treasures from Greece, some which have by no means left these shores, to be seen right here on the British Museum.
“As trustees we search for a partnership with our Greek pals that requires nobody to relinquish their claims, asks for no adjustments to legal guidelines which aren’t ours to jot down, however which finds a sensible, pragmatic and rational approach ahead.”
Mr Osborne stated the sculptures have at all times been “controversial”.
“We must always not shy from that controversy,” he stated. “I feel too typically we’ve thought let’s preserve quiet, if we don’t speak about issues which are troublesome, then nobody else will.”
Mr Osborne stated the museum welcomed controversy when saying “many valuable objects have been stolen from our shops, over most likely a number of many years, and most certainly by somebody who labored right here and we trusted”.
“We will’t fake it didn’t occur, or it doesn’t matter, or that some years in the past we weren’t warned,” he stated.
“It was our obligation to take care of these objects and we failed in that obligation.
“That’s why we made information of the thefts public. It’s why we commissioned a far-reaching, unbiased assessment into what went unsuitable and how one can repair it.
“It’s why we are going to publish its conclusions within the coming months and it’s why I’ve apologised for what has occurred.”
The high-profile theft drew renewed consideration to the disputed Elgin Marbles, with some questioning their security within the establishment.
The annual trustees’ dinner additionally introduced that British artist Tracey Emin would be the first feminine Royal Academician to affix the museum’s board of trustees.
Emin stated: “It’s considered one of my favorite museums in the whole world.
“I like all the pieces Egyptian. I’m very proud to be a trustee and I hope my presence will likely be a optimistic contribution.”
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