Athens Airport ask travelers to vote on Marbles' return

Ekathimerini reports that an interactive campaign launched last week Wednesday at Athens International Airport (AIA) asks travellers to say whether they believe the Parthenon Marbles, currently on display at the British Museum in London, should be returned to Greece. On the initiative’s launch day, of the 129 who participated, 125 voted in favour and four against.

 

The airport has set up four interactive screens – three in the departures area and one at arrivals – which pose the question: 'Are you in favour of the Marbles being returned to the Parthenon: yes or no?'. Those backing the return must restore the West Metope of the Parthenon and return the sixth Caryatid to the Erechtheion on the screen.

This action is part of a high-profile campaign which includes Amal Alamuddin Clooney who is offering her legal support to Greece in order to win back the sculptures that were shipped to London by Lord Elgin in 1803. The initiative at Athens International Airport was taken by the Greek government. Ioanna Papadopoulou, head of Communications and Marketing at Athens International Airport stated:

“We believe that the airport, as a crossroad of cultures, is the ideal place to reflect Athens’ tourists view on an issue that concerns our international cultural heritage. This initiative adds an important link to the systemic actions chain that the airport is undertaking for our city, which has already rebounded as a major tourist destination.”