I wanted to share the efforts of Hellas' government to get the Parthenon statues returned to them as soon as possible. The Archaeology News Network shares that UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, has sent a letter to the British Foreign Secretary, informing him of Hellas' request for the return of the Parthenon Marbles.
[Credit: TANN]
According to the Archaeology News Network "the British officials were informed officially about the request of the Greek side to proceed to the process of mediation in order to reach a settlement on the issue of Parthenon Sculptures."
The network further reports that the issue of the Parthenon Sculptures has, since 1987, steadily been in the agenda of any conference of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for Promoting the Return of Cultural Property to its Countries of Origin or repatriation in case of illegal possessions, and that, if the British side agree to conduct this process, it will be the first time that UNESCO will enable this institution to resolve cultural differences between two countries.
Recipients of the letter were British Foreign Minister William Chag , the British Minister for Culture Ms Maria Miller and the Director of the British Museum Mr. Robert Neil McGregor. No word yet on their answer, but I will keep you informed. Naturally, I feel the marbles should be returned home and hope the British government will agree. Backed by UNESCO, Hellas' claim has been backed with a lot of power, so here is to hoping!
I also really hope the statues are returned. Sometimes certain things are just meant to be in a certain place for a certain reason. In this case, it belongs closer to it's brothers and sisters in art. (:3)
ReplyDeleteBtw, I read you live in the Netherlands. So do I! (Happy Pagan/Hellenismos Pentagram Wave)
I fully agree, McKenna; these statues need to return home. You live in my neck of the woods? That's wonderful! There really aren't a lot of us in The Netherlands, I fear...
DeleteYes, and I agree. In the 2 years of being a pagan (not very long)- I think I've only met 1 identifiable other pagan- let alone Hellenist. Plus, it always takes good books on hellenismos forever(!) to get from America or the Uk to Noord-Brabant...
ReplyDeleteI have met dozens of Pagans (mostly Neo-Wiccand or witches) in The Netherlands, but you are the only Hellenist I have ever heard of who lives in this country. As for books; I agree. I must say, though, that I have quite the collection, some bought myself, others by friends and many from second-hand shops. Amazon is a good resource as well.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it might just be my area. Also, there aren't very many second-hand or old book stores here. (Or there might be in the other side of town, but I don't really ever go there.) I have found a fantastic crystal shop somewhere in the middle of Amsterdam in the vacation- and it was fantastic!
ReplyDeleteAs I live near Utrecht, I have a few more options. The crystal shop sounds good, thoigh, although I have absolutely no use for crystals what so ever XD
DeleteWell, I use crystals for energy works and space clearing. (But I guess that makes sense- being a former wiccan..) I got a beautiful apophillite and bollite cluster that gives such a fantastic beauty and love energy (Aphrodite (; ).
ReplyDeleteLuckily, I have noticed that here in the Netherlands, people don't really judge about it at all. I don't walk around screaming in people's faces; "I'M PAGAN!" But when somebody asks, I always tell them whatever they ask, and have never had a problem with that.
In general, I have found people to be accepting if presented with my religion in an honest and non-threatening manner. We're fortunate to live here, in that regard.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you have such good experience with crystals :-) Even when I was eclectic, that was never my field. I have kept very little from my previous practice save a theoretical interest, but it is good to stick to your strengths.