Greece’s Acropolis Museum launched an exhibition Tuesday that includes a renowned ancient Greek water jug from 420 B.C. on loan from the British Museum, AP reports.
The exhibit comes during a dispute between the countries over Greek demands for the return of sculptures from the Parthenon temple on the Acropolis that are housed in the British Museum.
U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak canceled a planned meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in London a week ago, accusing him of seeking to “grandstand” by publicly campaigning for the return of the Parthenon Marbles while visiting Britain.
Sunak noted his government had no intention of re-opening the issue or amending legislation that would block the artifacts’ return.
The ancient Greek vase from 420 BC – the Meidias Hydria – on loan from the British Museum, is on display during a media tour ahead of Greece’s Acropolis Museum officially launching the exhibition, ‘Meanings’ Personifications and Allegories From Antiquity to Today, in Athens, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
Mitsotakis described the incident as “an unfortunate moment” but added that the campaign for their return had received a boost after Sunak’s cancellation drew international attention.
The British Museum said it was continuing talks with Greek authorities and the Acropolis Museum, raising hopes in Athens that an arrangement could be reached to display the sculptures in Greece. On Tuesday, Acropolis Museum director Nikolaos Stampolidis said his museum maintained “excellent relations” with the British Museum and expressed confidence that the Parthenon Marbles would eventually be returned.
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