Battle over 'Marbles' spans two centuries 

 
 

Charles Darwin University will hold a free public lecture this week presenting, “The global campaign for the return of the Parthenon Marbles”.

The founder and chairman of the International Organising Committee Australia for the Restitution of the Parthenon Marbles, Mr Emanuel J. Comino will speak about his campaign to return the “world’s greatest single collection of classical Greek sculptures” to Greece.

Emanuel made history in 2003 with his presentation to the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, The Netherlands, petitioning for the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece.

The Parthenon Marbles, also known as the Elgin Marbles, were removed by Lord Elgin from the Parthenon and other buildings on the Acropolis of Athens in the years between 1801 and 1812 and transported to Britain.

They were bought by the British Government in 1816 and placed on display in the British Museum, where they remain on public view.

Emanuel said: “Lord Elgin’s taking of the sculptures is probably the world’s most celebrated cultural property dispute.”

The lecture, in association with the Friends of Greek Language and Culture, NT, will be held on Thursday, May 1, 6.30pm to 7.30pm at Charles Darwin University Casuarina campus, Red Precinct, Building 6, Room 5.

Attendance is free and open to students, staff and members of the public.

For further information, contact Angelica Poulos on 0419 894 760 or www.ahepa.org.au.