Mitsotakis: Britain would not divide the Bayeux Tapestry, so reunite the Parthenon Sculptures

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Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has renewed his call for the reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures in Athens, arguing that Britain’s decision to display the Bayeux Tapestry as one complete work highlights the case for bringing the sculptures together in Greece.

Writing about the return of the Bayeux Tapestry to Britain, Mitsotakis drew a direct comparison between the medieval artwork and the sculptures from the Parthenon, which have been divided between collections in Britain and Greece.

The Bayeux Tapestry, which is almost 70 metres long, tells the story of the events leading up to the Norman Conquest of England, culminating in the Battle of Hastings and the death of King Harold.

Mitsotakis argued that its significance comes not only from its individual scenes but from experiencing the work as a continuous whole.

He said the same principle should apply to the Parthenon Sculptures.

“Both were conceived as single compositions, meant to be seen and understood as a whole,” Mitsotakis wrote.

In the case of the Parthenon, he said, the connection is even more fundamental because the sculptures were created as integral elements of the ancient monument on the Acropolis.

The sculptures were removed from the Parthenon more than two centuries ago during the period of Lord Elgin, with significant sections now held by the British Museum while other surviving elements remain in Athens.

Mitsotakis said the Parthenon Sculptures should be viewed together and in direct relationship with the monument for which they were created.

He pointed to the Acropolis Museum as the purpose built institution capable of presenting the sculptures alongside the Parthenon.

“The surviving sculptures should be displayed together, at the same time, in visual relationship with the monument for which they were created,” he wrote.

Mitsotakis rejects Bayeux loan model

The Greek prime minister also rejected the suggestion that the recent loan of the Bayeux Tapestry could provide a model for resolving the Parthenon Sculptures dispute.

France has loaned the tapestry to Britain as a complete work, with the artwork due to return to France.

Mitsotakis said the situations were fundamentally different.

“France has lent the tapestry as an undivided whole, and it will return to France as an undivided whole,” he wrote.

“The Parthenon presents the reverse situation: integral parts of the monument were forcibly removed and dispersed. Our objective is their permanent reunification.”

Greece has consistently rejected proposals that would require it to formally recognise British Museum ownership of the sculptures or accept them back through a conventional loan arrangement.

Mitsotakis said Greece has been engaged in discussions with Britain for decades and that his government has held detailed talks with the British Museum over possible ways to achieve reunification.

He also cited British public opinion, referring to a nationally representative poll published last year that found majority support for returning the sculptures to Greece.

According to Mitsotakis, 72 per cent of respondents also agreed that the sculptures are better understood as part of a single whole with the Parthenon.

A potential cultural partnership

Mitsotakis argued that resolving the dispute could create a broader cultural partnership between Greece and Britain.

He proposed greater cooperation between museums, including exhibitions, academic research, conservation projects and cultural exchanges.

“Together we could shape a new model of cultural cooperation between two democratic states and allies that share deeply rooted values and ideals,” he wrote.

The Greek government has repeatedly called for the permanent reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures in Athens, while the British Museum has maintained its position regarding its collection and has previously explored the possibility of lending objects to Greece.

Mitsotakis also referenced comments made in 2023 by Andy Burnham, before he became mayor of Greater Manchester, when Burnham called for the sculptures to be returned “no strings attached”.

Mitsotakis said the return of the sculptures could help transform a decades long dispute into an example of cultural cooperation.

“At a time when democratic principles are being tested across the world, restoring the unity of a monument so closely bound to the birth of democracy itself would send a powerful message,” Mitsotakis wrote.

“Greece remains ready.”

The prime minister said what was now required was the political will to reunite the sculptures and turn the longstanding dispute into what he described as “a unique act of cultural friendship.”

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