British Museum’s loan to Greece coincides with controversy over demand to return the Parthenon Marbles

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece’s Acropolis Museum opened an exhibit Tuesday that includes a famous ancient Greek water jug ​​from 420 B.C., on loan from the British Museum.

The exhibition comes amid a dispute between the countries over Greek demands for the return of statues from the Parthenon temple on the Acropolis, housed in the British Museum.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak Cancelled At a planned meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in London a week earlier he was publicly accused of trying to achieve “grandstanding” by campaigning for a withdrawal. Parthenon Marbles During the UK tour.

Sunak said his government had no intention of reopening the issue or amending the law that would prevent the return of artefacts.

Mitsotakis described the incident as “an unfortunate moment”, but also said that his campaign for a comeback had been boosted by the international attention he received following Sunak’s cancellation.

The British Museum said it was continuing talks with Greek authorities and the Acropolis Museum, raising hopes in Athens that arrangements could be made to display the statues in Greece. On Tuesday, Nikolaos Stampolidis, director of the Acropolis Museum, said his museum maintained an “excellent relationship” with the British Museum and expressed confidence that the Parthenon Marbles would eventually be returned.

“After all, culture is not just about art. It’s also about relationships,” he said. A water jug ​​excavated in southern Italy known as the Medias Hydria, considered a masterpiece by the Athenian potter Medias, became part of the British Museum collection 250 years ago and has not left the London Museum until now Is.

The jug will be displayed at the Acropolis Museum in Athens until April, when it will be transferred to the 2024 Olympics host city. Paris Will be included in an exhibition at the Louvre Museum.

The vessel, a little more than 50 centimeters (19.5 in) high, is decorated with scenes from Greek mythology, including a depiction of Heracles, the great Greek hero renowned for his strength. The Athens exhibition will open to the public on Thursday.

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