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Marbles Reunited News page 1 Marbles Reunited News Newsletter of the Marbles Reunited Campaign No. 9 Winter 2012 Another Famous Victory for Marbalistas Stephen Fry and Andrew George MP sway public vote at Intelligence 2 debate. Stephen Fry and Andrew George turned around an audience at an Intel- ligence Squared/BBC World News debate in London during the summer. Stephen Fry, famous actor, writer, comedian and broadcaster was joined by Andrew George MP, who chairs Marbles Reunited in Britain. They proposed the motion “Send Them Back: The Parthenon Marbles Should be Returned to Athens” and were opposed by Professor Tristram Hunt MP (a broadcaster, historian, newspaper columnist and Labour MP) and Professor Felipe Fernandez-Armesto (Professor of History at the University of Notre Dame). Zeinab Badawi, BBC World News presenter chaired the debate. Before commencing a poll was taken of the audience and the results were 196 for the motion to send the marbles back and 202 against the motion. By the end of the evening the audience had been turned around with the result: 384 in favour of sending the Marbles back and 125 opposed. Both Stephen and Andrew comfortably rebutted the usual argu- ments that it would “open the floodgates”, leading to the emp- tying of the British Museum and indeed other museums and the more recent claim by the British Museum that it would un- dermine our ability to compare and contrast human achieve- ments, culture and endeavour across the world over time! Stephen Fry appealed to the audience that Britain should take a lead through what he described as a “graceful act” of returning the Mar- bles. Andrew said that “it would put right a wrong...the manner in which the Marbles were pillaged from an occupied country using a dodgy dossier”. He said that “if the Marbles needed protective cus- tody, then that job is done now. We cannot hold on to them forever.” Both Stephen and Andrew argued that on the one hand we can persist with clinging on to the Greek Marbles, as excuses wear thin, until forced into a cringe-making, shameful climb-down; or that we can demonstrate that Britain has better instincts than the rather arrogant acquisitiveness that we have displayed at times be- fore. We should lead an initiative to reunify the Marbles, a British triumph. Doing the right thing. A graceful act. We are seen to offer and co-operate. Britain standing proud. Enhancing our reputation. Records of the debate can be found at http://www.intelligencesquared.com/events/parthenon-marbles/ Photos by Tim Bowditch/Intelligence Squared Before and after poll results of the Intelligence 2 Debate
Transcript
Page 1: Marbles Reunited Newsletter issue  9

Marbles Reunited News page 1

MarblesReunited

News

Newsletter of the Marbles Reunited Campaign

No. 9 Winter 2012

Another FamousVictory for Marbalistas

Stephen Fry and Andrew George MP sway public vote at Intelligence2 debate.

Stephen Fry and Andrew George turned around an audience at an Intel-ligence Squared/BBC World News debate in London during the summer.

Stephen Fry, famous actor, writer, comedian and broadcaster was joined by Andrew George MP, who chairs Marbles Reunited in Britain.

They proposed the motion “Send Them Back: The Parthenon Marbles Should be Returned to Athens” and were opposed by Professor Tristram Hunt MP (a broadcaster, historian, newspaper columnist and Labour MP) and Professor Felipe Fernandez-Armesto (Professor of History at the University of Notre Dame). Zeinab Badawi, BBC World News presenter chaired the debate.

Before commencing a poll was taken of the audience and the results were 196 for the motion to send the marbles back and 202 against the motion.

By the end of the evening the audience had been turned around with the

result: 384 in favour of sending the Marbles back and 125 opposed.

Both Stephen and Andrew comfortably rebutted the usual argu-ments that it would “open the floodgates”, leading to the emp-tying of the British Museum and indeed other museums and the more recent claim by the British Museum that it would un-dermine our ability to compare and contrast human achieve-ments, culture and endeavour across the world over time!

Stephen Fry appealed to the audience that Britain should take a lead through what he described as a “graceful act” of returning the Mar-bles. Andrew said that “it would put right a wrong...the manner in which the Marbles were pillaged from an occupied country using a dodgy dossier”. He said that “if the Marbles needed protective cus-tody, then that job is done now. We cannot hold on to them forever.”

Both Stephen and Andrew argued that on the one hand we can persist with clinging on to the Greek Marbles, as excuses wear thin, until forced into a cringe-making, shameful climb-down; or that we can demonstrate that Britain has better instincts than the rather arrogant acquisitiveness that we have displayed at times be-fore. We should lead an initiative to reunify the Marbles, a British triumph. Doing the right thing. A graceful act. We are seen to offer and co-operate. Britain standing proud. Enhancing our reputation.

Records of the debate can be found at

http://www.intelligencesquared.com/events/parthenon-marbles/

Photos by Tim Bowditch/Intelligence Squared

Before and after poll results of the Intelligence2 Debate

202

196

Before After

Page 2: Marbles Reunited Newsletter issue  9

Marbles Reunited News page 2

London International Colloquy2012

This colloquy was the third part of a trilogy of marbles-related events in the month leading up to the London 2012 Olympics. The others were the poll of readers of the Museums Association Journal (73% in favour of reunifi cation), in response to an article it published on the colloquy, and

the IQ2 debate (75% in favour).The colloquy was organised by the Brit-ish Committee for the Reunifi cation of the Parthenon Marbles in partner-ship with the American Committee for the Reunifi cation of the Parthenon Sculptures and the International Organising Committee – Australia – for the Reunifi cation of the Parthenon Marbles (Inc).

The results of the poll of readers of the Mu-seum Association Journal were 73% in favour of reunification .

Elena Korka from the Greek Ministry of Culture gave a scholarly analysis of the legality of Elgin’s acquisition of the Marbles. Kostas Tsarouchas of Alithia publications presented his recently published edition of fac-simile documents demonstrating the early interest of the Greek national state in recovering the marbles.

Elena Korka from the Greek Ministry of Cul-ture gave a scholarly analysis of the legal-ity of Elgin’s acquisition of the Marbles.

The art historian Tom Flynn gave a masterful critique of the concept of the Universal Museum. Legal aspects were covered by the former MP An-drew Dismore, who showed in detail how the issue could be resolved by legislation to repeal the British Museum Act 1963 section 5, and the dis-tinguished South African advocate George Bizos who dissected the case for litigation and whose presentation included a contribution from his compatriot Sir Sydney Kentridge. A video presentation was provided by the Melina Mercouri Foundation. Michael Reppas presented the “Miss-ing Since 1801” campaign of his American Committee. Emanuel Com-ino described his own long involvement in the campaign. His Australian Committee plans a follow up colloquy in Sydney in autumn 2013. Pro-fessor Dusan Sidjanski outlined the Swiss Committee’s initiative using the mechanisms of the European Union. Tributes were paid for distinguished long term service to Eleni Cubitt, by the distinguished Byzantinologist Dr Judith Herrin, and to the late Christopher Hitchens, by Christina Borg,

Literary Desk Editor of the Sunday Times. The colloquy concluded on day 2 with the launch of the “Missing Since 1801” campaign at the BM.

Legal aspects were covered by the former MP Andrew Dismore, who showed in detail how the issue could be resolved by legislation to repeal the British Museum Act 1963 section 5

Thanks are due to Marlen Taffarello, Margaret Gilbert and Stuart O’Hara for their invaluable administrative support, and to the Greek Ambassador HE Aristides Sandis who hosted a reception for the par-ticipants at his residence.

Tributes were paid for distinguished long term service to Eleni Cubitt, by the distinguished Byzantinologist Dr Judith Herrin, and to the late Christopher Hitchens, by Christina Borg, Literary Desk Editor of the Sunday Times.

Further details, including videos of the presentations, can be found on the BCRPM website www.parthenonuk.com

By Eddie O’Hara

Honorary President of Marbles Reunited

and Chairman of BCRPM

I am unable to give the proper breadth of gratitude I feel for the he-roic resistance of the people and the leaders of Greece. Charles de Gaulle

Page 3: Marbles Reunited Newsletter issue  9

Marbles Reunited News page 3

It is true indeed, that given all the years of its existence, the Parthe-non does not require anything of us. It is we, who require the Parthe-non’s help to continue to evolve in our lives. Charles Maurras

The Young Neighbours of the Acropolis make a visual appeal

By Maria KoutsikouMarbles Reunited Campaign Manager

All photos reprinted by permis-sion of the Parent Association of the 70th Primary School of Athens

In 2010 the Association of Parents of the 70th Primary School of Ath-ens, which is located next to the Acropolis and the new Acropolis Mu-seum, organised painting workshops in collaboration with the

Museum of Greek Children’s Art.

During these workshops, the children were encouraged to ex-press their feelings and thoughts on the absence of some of the Parthenon sculptures from their birthplace. Their innocence and the assertive way in which they expressed the need for re-unifi cation of the Parthenon sculptures became a touching and unique experience for all. As a result an anthology of the chil-dren’s drawings was published under the title Our sculptures have their homeland.

The anthology is prefaced by a touching letter written by the chil-dren and addressed to the world, urging for the reunifi cation of the Parthenon sculptures. The letter is included in 27 different lan-guages, a process which was aided by the cooperation of many of the embassies in Athens. Several exhibitions have also taken place featuring the children’s works of art, and the Association of Par-ents is open to the idea of future exhibitions in Greece or abroad. Copies of the anthology are still available and can be obtained though a small donation, by contacting the Association of Par-ents of the 70th Primary school on the following email address:

[email protected]

I am coming - Drawing by Eleni-Ann Konstantinou-Zavecz

Where is my Rider? Drawing by Chrysi Pantazidi

Page 4: Marbles Reunited Newsletter issue  9

Marbles Reunited News page 4

Once the dust from the Olympics and Paralympics has settled, the Athletes Village will be transformed into East Village. New Lon-don Architecture, in association with Delancey, put on the exhibi-tion ‘East Village – a lasting legacy for London’ from the 13th to the 31st March to showcase the architectural and design excel-lence of the village set within the broader context of the transforma-tion of East London. Amidst the middle of the entire proposal sat this:

A section of the Parthenon Marbles, also known as the Elgin Marbles, that has been reproduced in concrete by Niall McLaughlin Architects.

The sculpted Marbles originally graced the walls of the Parthe-non in Athens. Built nearly 2,500 years ago as a temple dedi-cated to the Greek goddess Athena, it was for a thousand years the church of the Virgin Mary of the Athenians, then a mosque, and fi -nally an archaeological ruin. These recreated panels, meanwhile, have been wrapped round the façade of a base building by Glenn Howells Architects to clothe one of the blocks in the Athletes Village.

The Marbles are a site of extreme architectural controversy. Sculpt-ed by Greeks, blown up by Venetians, given away by Ottomans and shipped to England by Lord Elgin, they have been the subject of heated debate ever since. The position of the Greek culture ministry is understandably nationalistic, and is replicated in the UK every time a ‘British masterpiece’ might be sold off to a private buyer. They re-quest the return of the marbles to Greek ownership and display.

The arguments that the British have used for not returning the Mar-bles are many and varied. Originally it was stated that they had been

legitimately transferred into British ownership from the rulers of the coun-try. While Greece went through turbulent political periods it was argued that the sculptures were being safeguarded from potential damage. In more recent times the argument has become more obtuse. The British Museum now states that the Marbles are of such global signifi cance that they should be shown in a free, internationally visited museum and seen in context with a worldwide selection of anthropological items.

This is a much more interesting argument, which the use of the casts on the Olympic Village wholeheartedly supports. It really states that the mar-bles now exist in the public realm. As Niall Mclaughlin explains “The Par-thenon stones were made in a particular place at a particular time. Their deracination and constant re-idealisation has made them into something else – something iconic that people recognise, like a picture of Elvis.”

That the argument the British Museum has for retaining the Marbles hinges on the worldwide distribution of their image, seems somewhat oxymoronic. How can they possibly be owned by the world, when they are very obviously retained in London? Even traditionally insular, nationalistic treasures, such as China’s Army, have found themselves on world tours to allow as many people as possible to appreciate them. Maybe the Marbles should go on a world tour of their own. Perhaps they should be exhibited in a newly created international museum between Greece and the UK.

In any case, the British Museum might learn something from the games, that even though the Olympics originated in Greece, they are now world-wide because of a sense of personal ownership each time they move. The British have not owned the marbles for very long, and they should see themselves as just part of a long line of their guardians. Just part of a global tradition. The athletes might well appreciate the concrete replicas of the Marbles while they occupy East Village, but they know they are only one of a whole timeline of incumbents of the Olympic Park.

By Hugh McEwenArchitectural Designer

Excerpt from article published in the architecture section of Notes from the Underground http://www.nftu.co.uk/2012/08/02/east-is-east-the-athletes-village-and-the-elgin-marbles/

East is East : The Athletes Village and the Elgin Marbles

Page 5: Marbles Reunited Newsletter issue  9

Marbles Reunited News page 5

The Parthenon is really astonishing in its silent composure; which is so vigorous that, far from being decayed, the Parthenon appears, on the contrary, likely to outlast the entire world. Virginia Woolf

The Swiss Committee for the Return of the Parthenon Marbles is pre-paring an initiative for a new declaration of the European Parliament (EP) on the Parthenon Marbles with the help of Euro MP and former Vice-president of the EP, Ms Rodi Kratsa. Already in 1999 the Parlia-ment favoured the return in a declaration initiated by Alfred Lomas, MEP. Since then no progress has been made towards reaching a mu-tually satisfactory agreement between Greece and the United King-dom. Meanwhile the splendid new Acropolis Museum has opened its doors and provides an ideal environment to exhibit these Sculptures in their original confi guration and context and using the most ad-vanced conservation techniques. The declaration aims to encourage an amicable agreement under the auspices of the European Union.

The President of the Swiss Committee, Prof. Dusan Sidjanski, ex-plains the specifi c European dimension of the Parthenon Marbles: “In my opinion, it is important to stress the European dimension of the question of the return of the Marbles. Indeed, this issue is a European matter, which concerns the major European monument inherited from Ancient Greece. As a result, all action taken should be directly aimed at European Institutions – the European Parlia-ment and the Commission, as well as the Council of Europe - Eu-ropean States and museums, while at the same time encouraging initiatives in favour of our cause carried out by Associations based in non-European States such as the United States, Australia, etc.

The object of our undertaking is European and is primarily related to European cultural heritage. It cannot be compared with other claims concerning imported monuments and sculptures originating from

other civilizations or illicitly removed from regions outside Europe.”

During meetings in Athens on October 2nd Fabrizio Micalizzi, advi-sor to the Swiss committee, pointed out that the new initiative at the European Parliament aims to show that the moral impera-tive of fairness does matter in Europe and that solidarity between European Union Member States also applies to cultural issues.

By Fabrizio MicalizziAdvisor to the Swiss Committee for the Reunifi cation of the Parthenon Marbles

New initiative at the European Parliament

Winner of the Opus Elgin Competition

In May we ran a competition asking for submissions of photographs or illustrations which our followers felt best expressed the sentiment for reunifi cation of the Parthenon sculptures. The competition was open to public vote, and the fi rst place prize were two tickets to the Opus Elgin opera, which took place at the Athens Concert Hall on the 29th May 2012. Congratulations to Dinos Hassiotis, whose entry was voted in fi rst place. The submission featured an image of sculptures from the East Pediment of the Parthenon with the inscription “It’s all Greek to me”.

Opus Elgin Opera

The opera was split into two acts. The fi rst act followed the rise and fall of the Acropolis, starting with the creation of the Parthenon in the 5th century BC, and ending with the removal of a considerable amount of sculptures from the Parthenon by Lord Elgin. In the second act Lord Elgin is put on trial and after a number of witnesses, including Lord Byron, Percy Shelley, Edward Dodwell and François-René de Chateaubriand, give their opinion of Lord Elgin’s actions, it is decided that the sculptures must be returned to Athens. In the penultimate scene, titled Melina’s Speech, a modern day setting sees Melina reaching out to the international community, asking for their assistance for the return of the Parthenon sculptures.

One of the most touching moments took place in the fi nal scene during which Maria Cal-las visits the British Museum and touched by the sight of the lonely caryatid breaks out into a haunting aria. The setting is then transferred to Athens where the gods of Olympus point towards the empty pedestals and in chorus sing: we await you!

The opera was composed by Mr Theodoros Stathis and was conducted by the world-famous Peter Tiboris. It was directed by Christopher Christofi s and starred Nina Lotsari (soprano), Dimitris Kavrakos (bass), Helen Davou (mezzo soprano), Dionysius Sourbis (baritone), and a whole host of other talented artists. The choir was compromised of Ma-rie-Ntimova Roropoulou (soprano), Christina Karamaltidou (alto), Elias Tiliakos (baritone) and Fanis Roropoulos (tenor). The choreography was by Ersi Pitta and the costumes by Giannis Varelas. Additional information cann be found on the offi cial website:

http://www.all4parthenon.gr

From left to right: Fabrizio Micalizzi (advisor of the Swiss Committee); Prof. Dusan Sid-janski (President) and Dr. Elena Korka (Hellenic Ministry of culture)

Campaigners attending the meeting in Athens on October 2nd 2012

Page 6: Marbles Reunited Newsletter issue  9

Marbles Reunited News page 6

On Tuesday 2nd October, representatives from Marbles Reu-nited / BCRPM, along with representatives of other member or-ganisations of the International Association for the Reunifi ca-tion of the Parthenon Sculptures, including its chair, David Hill, met with Kostas Tzavaras, the Alternate Minister of Culture.

This was the fi rst formal meeting about the Parthenon Marbles that anyone has had with the Greek government, since the new coalition was formed after the elections in June. Also present at the meeting were two advisors to the Minister on the issue of the Marbles, archaeologist Elena Korka and Lawyer Irini Stamatoudi.

At the meeting, the Minister explained that he had formed a commit-tee of advisors that included the two who were present who would assist him in forming a strategy to deal with the issue of the return of the Marbles. He indicated that in the coming months, a new strategy will be unveiled – this represents an important step, as there has been no clear indication of the actual strategy that the Greek Gov-ernment wants to take with the Marbles since 2004. The Minister indicated that he saw the resolution of the Parthenon Marbles issue as an important part of his job - and that he was willing to focus at-tention & resources on it despite the current problems facing Greece.

At present, the Ministry is collecting suggestions from the various national committees, on how different people feel that the issue of the Marbles might be tackled & is going to carefully consider all the available possibilities before deciding on a new course of action.

Marbles Reunited / BCRPM explained to the Minister, some of the work that was being carried out in the British Parliament, to try & raise awareness for the issue, such as Early Day Mo-tions. The Swiss Committee suggested that another possible strategy was to make a declaration in the European Parliament, with the aim that it is passed if more than 50% of the MEPs sign it. The Minister was enthusiastic about both these initiatives.

Various other options were discussed, such as the possibility of tak-ing legal action against the British Museum, and the best way to convince British MPs that the return of the Marbles is something that they should be supporting, rather than arguing against it.

We look forward to hearing more, as the Greek Ministry of Culture develops their new strategy for the Marbles in the coming months.

Meeting with Kostas Tzavaras

By Matthew TaylorMarbles Reunited Treasurer

Today, poor Athens is the scene of violent social protest, fast-in-creasing poverty and rising political tension, which were all pre-sent before, and even during, her Golden Age in classical times when she produced the philosophers, the architects, the political thinkers and the poets who in turn shaped all Western civilization.

Take a short car or bus ride to the coast nearby and wander on the sandy, pine-wooded shoreline where the Battle of Marathon was fought in 490 BC, and where the Athenians’ citizen army de-feated the vastly numerically superior forces of Persian tyranny.

It’s still the most important battle in Western history. One of the very few markers left is a little mound, or hillock, nearby. It’s in a smallish triangle of grassy land, not much bigger than a chil-dren’s park and surrounded by roads. But inside that hillock lie the remains of the Athenians who fought and died at Marathon.

It choked me up when I fi rst saw it because of its spectacu-lar and moving lack of grandeur - no winged gods or angels, no marble, no pompous inscriptions, just a simple pile of earth.

I’m afraid I also think the time is right to send back the Parthenon frieze or Elgin Marbles from our wonderful British Museum. They need a real boost just now and we are in a unique position to help.

These are again days of Greek agony and instead of constantly blaming them for not working hard enough like the Germans, we should help by continuing to go, to spend money there, and show our friendship.

I’m afraid I also think the time is right to send back the Parthe-non frieze or Elgin Marbles from our wonderful British Museum. They need a real boost just now and we are in a unique position to help.

Excerpt taken from the BBC News Magazine article Five of History’s Most Important Places by Andrew Marr

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-19912733

Photo by Maria Koutsikou

Andrew Marr on Athens and the reunifica-tion of the Parthenon sculptures

Page 7: Marbles Reunited Newsletter issue  9

Marbles Reunited News page 7

Immediately following Melina’s death in 1994 the Melina Mercouri Foun-dation was established, having undertaken as its mission to continue Meli-na’s rich legacy especially with regard to the reunifi cation of the Parthenon Marbles. Involvement in this issue is - as it was for Melina - a challenge and obligation that relates to the integrity of a World Heritage monument and thus transcends national boundaries and concerns the all humanity.

The Foundation managed to overturn the long existing term “Elgin Mar-bles”. Today they are called “The Parthenon Marbles” as Melina referred to them in her speech at Oxford Union:

“And the Parthenon Marbles they are. There are no such things as the Elgin Marbles.There is a Michelangelo David.There is a Da Vinci Last Supper.There is Praxiteles Hermes. There is a Turner “Fishermen at Sea”.There are no Elgin Marbles!”

It was this powerful appeal and the overall awareness raised by Meli-na that contributed to the change of attitude internationally and espe-cially in the United Kingdom for the return of the marbles to Greece.

The Foundation managed to overturn the long existing term “Elgin Marbles”. Today they are called “The Parthenon Marbles”

The Melina Mercouri Foundation was closely connected with the crea-tion of the Acropolis Museum and since its completion it is part of the governing body whose main task is to ensure the proper func-tion of the Museum. As the Foundation supports initiatives that per-tain to the return of the marbles, it has organized large campaigns in Greece and abroad, such as discussions with academics, output of publications, meetings with state offi cials in Greece and abroad, exhibitions and instruction sessions to students educating them on the subject. The following are notable events on the issue: exhi-bitions at the European Parliament, UNESCO in Paris, the Coun-cil of Europe in Strasbourg and Roemerhalle – Frankfurt am Main.

Christoforos Argyropoulos, the president of the Foundation.

Given the recent Olympic Games in London which promote the col-laboration of nations, we would like to express our wish that the United Kingdom reviews the issue of the return under a new light. Now more than ever, after two centuries of absence, the Par-thenon Marbles are ready to return and fi nd home in the su-perb space of the Acropolis Museum in direct relationship with the Parthenon located on the Acropolis rock exactly across and splendidly visible from the space where they would be placed.

By Christoforos Ar-gyropoulos

President of the Melina Mercouri Foundation

Photos published courtesy of the Melina Mercouri Foundation

http://www.melinamercourifoundation.org.gr/

An appeal by the President of the Melina Mercouri Foundation

When, fi nally, on the afternoon of our arrival I stood on the Acropolis and cast my eyes upon the landscape, a surprising thought suddenly entered my mind: ‘So all this really does exist, just as we learnt it at school!’.To see something with one’s own eyes is an entirely different experience than hearing or reading about it. Sigmund Freud

Page 8: Marbles Reunited Newsletter issue  9

Marbles Reunited News page 8

Friends of the British Committee for the Reunifi cation of the Parthenon Marbles.

c/o Time & Tide Shipping Ltd

2nd Floor, 21 New Row

London, WC2N 4LE

Tel: +44 (0)845 5194 574

[email protected]

Honorary President: Eddie O’ Hara

Chairman: Andrew George MP

Vice Chairman: Rea Hajifanis

Treasurer: Matthew Taylor

Secretary: Angelos Economou

Receive the next newsletter by email.

Let us know at:

[email protected]

© Copyright 2012 Marbles Reunited

Marbles Reunited

Another debate and another overwhelming vote in favour of the Parthenon Marbles being returned to Greece. The Intelligence Squared debate produced a pretty conclusive 75%-25% result. This follows the Oxford University’s 64%-36% in 2004 and Cambridge University’s 71%-29% in 2008 – all in favour. There have been polls as well. The Museum Journal (the maga-zine of the Museums Association) conducted a poll in May: result 73%-27% in favour of return!

In 2009 The Guardian conducted a poll where almost 130,000 were asked and 94.8% said SEND THEM BACK!

I’m not sure any poll has gone the other way. If that’s the way the country feels, why doesn’t the British Museum do something about it? There has to be some responsi-bility in the running of this great institution that takes into account the people’s views, not just those of a well-connected minority.

The director of the British Museum, Neil MacGregor, a gifted and erudite man, who has organised wonderful exhibitions over the years, could change the status quo if he wanted to.

ByAngelos

EconomouSecretary of Marbles Reunited

And to fill out the page ...

Marbles Reunited Online

Sadly he doesn’t.............

One day the marbles will be re-turned, the majority will always get their way and Mr MacGregor will not be remembered for those great exhibitions but for his pettifogging that delayed their return.

It has been an exciting few months with various events, such as the Intelligence2 debate, the London Olympics, the International Colloquy, our online competition and various exhibitions at the Acropolis Museum. Marbles Reunited’s online presence has been there at every moment communicating these events as well as important news items, such as the 2012 Keck award given to the Acropolis Museum. It is through this means of communication that the cause is not only kept alive, but new supporters are also reached. In the last year we have more than tripled our Facebook fanbase as well as increased our Twitter followers. It is great to see people engaging in the cause for reunifi -cation of the Parthenon sculptures and contributing to keep it alive.

This summer also saw the launch of our very own online merchandise shop on Zazzle (http://www.zazzle.co.uk/marblesreunited). You can currently fi nd totes, buttons, post cards and mugs featuring designs inspired by the cause. New items and new designs will be added shortly. Why not send out Marbles Reunited Christmas cards this year! You can send your warmest wishes to your loved ones while letting them know you support a great cause!

There have been some great exhibitions at the Acropolis museum over the past few months, such as the Archaic Colours exhibition. If you would like to see a variety of images from these exhibitions as well as our inspi-rational banners then please visit our Flickr page: http://www.fl ickr.com/marblesreunited .

By Maria Koutsikou

A face-lift for our website is also in the works and all will be revealed within the new year. Be sure to check back for more information on this as well as to keep up to date with all the important news and events relating to the cause.

A preview of our Christmas card available on Zazzle. The message inside reads: The gift of Love. The gift of peace. The gift of happiness. May all these be yours at Christmas and throughout the New Year.


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