The position of the Greek government has been clear for 40 years, the friezes of the Parthenon distributed between the British Museum and the Acropolis Museum in Athens are the work of British “looting” and are equivalent to “cutting the Mona Lisa in two.” With the aim of reaching an agreement, the Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, was due to meet with Rishi Sunak on December 5, 2023, a meeting canceled by the British Prime Minister, replaced by Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden. In reaction, there was a diplomatic chill and the head of the Greek Government expressed his disappointment during a speech stating that “whoever believes in the correctness and merits of his positions is never afraid to face arguments.”
The friezes of the Parthenon: a work cut in two
The Parthenon friezes were built in the 5th century BC. C. and are now part of the UNESCO heritage.
For 40 years, Greece has claimed its right to recover the second part of the frieze supposedly looted during the Ottoman occupation. By contrast, the United Kingdom is opposed and considers it a legal sale made in 1802. While the exchange was discussed in early 2023, current tensions appear to have undermined this return to Greece.
After comparing the distribution of the friezes to a Mona Lisa cut in two by the Greek Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak preferred to cancel his visit, the first in diplomatic history between the two countries.
King Charles III: a sartorial stance?
During his media appearance at COP28, King Charles III wore a tie and scarf in the colors of Greece. The reactions quickly multiplied and viewers thought of a position worthy of the late Queen Elizabeth II. At the time, she gave the speech from the throne wearing a hat very similar to the flag of the European Union, just a year after the conclusion of Brexit.
Buckingham eventually spoke out about it, saying that the tie was simply part of his current wardrobe and that there was no political message behind the outfit. However, this has not quelled the persistent rumors that consider it a position taken.
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