Posted on April 18, 2013 by KERI DOUGLAS
Imagine the power of a million, two million people who learn, understand and act on an injustice over 200 years old – the theft and destruction of the very icon of world heritage; democracy; foundation and principles of architecture; and, the capacity of human endeavors, the Parthenon.
The International Organizing Committee – Australia – for the Reunification of the Parthenon Marbles (IOC-A-RPM) will host a two day second International Colloquy Parthenon: An Icon of Global Citizenship beginning on November 15, 2013 at the University of Sydney Nicholson Museum that will concentrate the dialogue in four areas: education, economy, activism and litigation. A call for papers and expert speakers is open until July 31, 2013.
The IOC-A-RPM, founded in 1981, is the first of its kind. Followed by actress and Minister of Culture for Greece, Melina Merkouri who launched her campaign that then inspired the formation of the British Committee for the Reunification of the Parthenon Marbles.
When asked 'why now', Dennis Tritaris, Secretary and Public Affairs Officer of the IOC-A-RPM responds,
"Justice towards history and the monument needs to be restored."
"We need to always remember that the case of the Parthenon Marbles is unique because of its size and historical importance. Almost 50% of the surviving collection is exhibited in the British Museum. We are not talking about one statue, one relic or a piece of treasure but for a collection of numerous sculptures and fragments. The Greek side has expressed many times that they don't claim the return of every single piece of ancient fragment from every museum in the world. By returning the Parthenon Marbles based on the merits of this individual case there will be no "Opening of the flood gates".
Read the full story here
Emanuel J Comino AM, Founder and Chairman of IOC-A-RPM and Dennis Tritaris, Secretary and Public Affairs Officer, talk with Tom Tsamouras of Symban Radio Australia about the Parthenon Marbles and the 2012 International Colloquy held in London.
19 June 2012. The morning of the 2012 International Colloquy on the Reunification of the Parthenon Marbles. Giles Dilnot from Radio 5Live discusses the "Australian Connection" in the global campaign for the restitution of the Parthenon Marbles with Thomas Andronas from Melbourne.
11 April 2012 | THOMAS ANDRONAS | neoskosmos.com
A united contingent of campaigners seeking the restitution of the Parthenon marbles to Greece will travel to London later this year, to apply pressure on the British government.
The contingent will be spearheaded by Chairman of the International Organising Committee Australia for the Restitution of the Parthenon Marbles Emanuel Comino, and famed South African human rights lawyer George Bizos.
They will participate in a conference on the topic, to be held on June 19 and 20, at the Hellenic Centre in London.
Read more: Australian contingent off to UK to get Marbles back
Thomas Andronas finds the British Museum engaged in an overt propaganda campaign. But was Lord Elgin a rescuer, or a 'rapist'?
12 Apr 2011 | neoskosmos.com
It's funny, how history can be reinterpreted as a means to an end.
On a recent trip to the British Museum I was astounded to find this iconic educational institution engaged in an overt propaganda campaign aimed at justifying the museum's ongoing refusal to repatriate the Parthenon Marbles to Greece. In doing so the museum is actively seeking to paint history in a manner favourable to its position. Recently in Australia to promote his new book, the Director of the British Museum Neil MacGregor reiterated the museum's position on the marbles. "In Athens they can be part of a Greek story and in London they can be part of a world story," MacGregor told The Australian.
