19th century:

A British ambassador removes some of the finest sculptures from the Acropolis of Athens. The sculptures are shipped to Britain, ending up in the British Museum in London.

20th century:

UNESCO designates the Acropolis of Athens as a world heritage site. It recognises the Acropolis of Athens as the symbol of world heritage itself.

21st century:

The international community recognises and strongly supports the necessity for the return of the seized marbles to Athens.

The Acropolis Museum is ready to house the complete set of the sculptures in Athens, under the best possible display conditions:

1. in direct view of the original monument

2. in the correct exhibition layout reproducing the actual peripheral dimensions and proportions of the Parthenon frieze and pediments

3. as an integral part of a unified archaeological park in the centre of the city they originate from

Now is the moment for the sculptures of the Acropolis to be reunited in the ultimate Acropolis exhibition hall in Athens.

Read more and be part of the historic reunification of these classical masterpieces.

3214

Fighting against instincts,

separation and possession

while

Trying to tell a sacred story

60% of the Parthenon sculptures is still in London

Revealing the way to Wisdom

The sculptures of the Acropolis of Athens need to be reunited

ΛΟΓΟΣThere are many reasons that the Parthenon sculpturesmust be reunited

9 + 1 reasons

ΕΚΘΕΜΑ

exhibit

The Parthenon sculptures, and all pieces of the Athenian Acropolis, only make sense as a whole

The buildings and sculptures of the Acropolis of Athens are a monument representing key events andconcepts of Greek history and mythology

The new Acropolis Museum is the optimum exhibition hall designed to house all the Parthenon sculptures together as a complete exhibit

9 + 1 reasons

ΠΡΟΣΤΑΣΙΑ

protection

Since 1975, a unique program has been running in Athens

Using state-of-the-art conservation technologies

employing safe, sensitive cleaning methods that use laser technology,

and ongoing investment driving cutting-edge conservation

the Acropolis Restoration Project

pollution deposits have been delicately removed

Reuniting the Acropolis sculptures is the ultimate act of antiquity conservation awaiting action

revealing undamaged the patina and amazing detailof the frieze in Athens

Reuniting the Acropolis sculptures is the ultimate act of antiquity conservation awaiting actionReuniting the Acropolis sculptures is the ultimate act of antiquity conservation awaiting actionReuniting the Acropolis sculptures is the ultimate act of antiquity conservation awaiting action

image © S. Mavrommatis

ΙΣΤΟΡΙΑ

history

• At the time of the removal of the sculptures, the Greeks were fighting for independence

• There was not any firman that allowed Elgin to take parts of the Acropolis away from Athens

If something similar happened to a country’s monument today, we would simply condemn it as unacceptable.

1453 2009432 BC

AD

The creation ofthe Parthenon

and its sculptures

is completed

The Byzantiumcomes under Ottoman rule

1828

The first independentGreek stateIs formed

Elgin assaultsthe Acropolis,

cutting sculpturesoff its buildings

1801 1987

The new AcropolisMuseum in Athens is

ready andopen to the public

UNESCO designates theAcropolis as aWorld Heritage

site

symbol

The Acropolis of Athens symbolises

ΣΥΜΒΟΛΟ• the unprecedented progress, cultural peak and passion for excellence in ancient Athens

• the ancient Greek civilisation

• the classical period in world history, its art, architecture, science, political reform and philosophy • the foundations and beginning of Western civilisation

• World Heritage (UNESCO)

How can a museum be against the symbol of World Heritagekeeping its pieces apart?

• a milestone in human civilisation and thinking

art

ΤΕΧΝΗThe Parthenon

is amasterpiece of architecture

art

a breathing structure

a uniquearchitectural standard

art

curves and proportions

render

its

it

a dynamic composition in space

ΡΟΗ

flow

World-class development projects have maximised the accessibility

to a world audienceof a world monument

flow

The Unification of the Archaeological sites of Athens to a continuous archaeological, historical and cultural walk in the oldest capital of Europe

(a major project by the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and the Ministry for the Environment, Physical Planning & Public Works)

The new Athens International Airportthe largest hub of air travel in southeastern Europe

The extended metro network bringing tourists right at the doorstep ofthe Acropolis and other key archaeological sites and monuments

The Acropolis Museum providing the optimum physical and conceptual conditions for the exhibition of all the Acropolis sculptures next to the Acropolis

flow

The Unification of the Archaeological sites of Athensto a continuous archaeological, historic and cultural walk in the oldest capital of Europe (a major project by the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and the Ministry for the Environment, Physical Planning & Public Works)

The new Athens International Airportthe largest hub of air travel in southeastern Europe

The extended metro network bringing tourists right at the doorstep ofthe Acropolis monument and key archaeological sites

the New Acropolis Museum providing the optimum physical and conceptual conditions for the exhibition of all the Acropolis sculptures next to the Acropolis!

World-class projects

a world audience

a world monument

accessibility

unity

It is about understanding and bringing people together

Europeans are working on an advanced model of communication within the community.

Museums are needed to explicitly promote this effort, not undermine it.

ΟΜΟΝΟΙΑ

Phidias

ΦΕΙΔΙΑΣ' According to Professor J.M. Cook in his account of the Parthenon's construction, "Practically every block in it is unique so as to fit the tilts and curvatures. Such extravagance could never be afforded again." And, as he also puts it,

"the Parthenon style is the classical style par excellence ". [...]

The idea is balance and symmetry, summed up in the triad of the metopes, the frieze and the pediments.'

(excerpt from 'The Elgin Marbles' by Christopher Hitchens)

One creation, one project. Coordinated by

one artist

image © Artmedia Press

ethics

• Museums are meant to extend beyond prestige to serve art integrity and respect

• The Greek nation was never asked about the removal of its heritage treasures

• Greece and the UK are fellow European States, connected with bonds of friendship

ΗΘΙΚΗ Did you know?

Greece has offered to lend other precious treasures to the UK in return for the reunification of the Acropolis sculptures close to the monument

+ 19 reasons

’

ΑΛΗΘΕΙΑt r u t h

+ 1

1TheParthenon sculptures are part of the Parthenon

The monument will only be complete againwhen all its pieces are brought back together

The British Museum should not act as a galleryexhibiting ownership

but as an institution promotingeducation and unity beyond its physical borders

It is your support and awareness that will help the Acropolis sculptures return to Athens

The reunification is a matter of timeand understanding

It’s already started

is

about

Reuniting the sculptures

bringing people together

AcropolisofAthens.gr

Our generations will be inspired by complete world heritage monuments

The permanent restoration of the Parthenon sculptures to a single, meaningful exhibit depends on everyone’s understanding;

Read more. The reunification has already started.www.AcropolisofAthens.gr

yours too

The focus is now on the Acropolis Museum in Athens; not only because of the historical importance of the monument, but because of its great cultural depth and gravity in a world of civilisations.

AcropolisofAthens.gr - one monument, one heritage

URL: www.AcropolisofAthens.gr