CULTURE

Live from London: Debating on the Parthenon Marbles

Greece has found a number of prominent allies in the ongoing 200-year-old discussion on whether the Parthenon Marbles should leave the premises of the British Museum in London and return to Athens.

“What greater gesture could be made to Greece in its appalling finance distress? An act of friendship, atonement and an expression of faith in the future of the cradle of democracy would be so, well just so damned classy,? British comedian and author Stephen Fry wrote on the subject of their possible return in an essay published in December last year.

The British actor is now set to be joined by fellow advocate of the Parthenon Marbles’ return, Liberal Democrat MP Andrew George, in a live debate organized by Intelligence Squared Greece.

The debate, titled ?Send Them Back: The Parthenon Marbles Should Be Returned to Athens,? will take place in London and be screened at the amphitheater of the Acropolis Museum in the Greek capital from 8.30 to 10.30 p.m. on Monday, June 11, through a live feed from London via the BBC.

Speaking against the motion is Felipe Fernandez-Armesto, the William P. Reynolds professor of history at the University of Notre Dame, and Labour MP Tristram Hunt, who is also a broadcaster, historian and newpaper columnist. Moderating the event is BBC World News presenter Zeinab Badawi.

Due to the high demand for entrance to Monday’s live event (admission is free of charge but reservations are required), another two screenings will take place at the Acropolis Museum on Wednesday, June 13, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 5 to 7 p.m.

Wednesday’s screenings are open to Acropolis Museum ticketholders and no prior reservations are necessary.

The debate will be in English with simultaneous translation into Greek.

For more information, go to www.intelligencesquared.com.

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