British Museum chair George Osborne says he remains hopeful that London and Athens can reach an agreement on the Parthenon Marbles, with shared access at the heart of a possible arrangement.
Speaking in Athens, Osborne said progress would depend on both sides accepting that an agreement may not deliver everything either wants. He said he hopes the sculptures held in London could also be seen in Athens, while emphasizing that sharing is the museum's preferred approach.
A long-running cultural question
Created in the fifth century BCE under the sculptor Phidias, the marble sculptures once formed part of the Parthenon on the Acropolis. The British Museum has held them since the early 19th century. Greece has sought their return for generations, while the museum has cited UK law that restricts it from permanently removing objects from its collection.
Talks between the museum and Greece came close to an agreement in 2023 but did not result in a deal. Greece has previously proposed a cultural exchange that would bring the sculptures to Athens while allowing significant objects from Greek antiquity to be displayed in London.
Osborne's remarks signal that discussions remain open, even as the two sides differ on ownership and the terms of any arrangement. A workable agreement could help shape new ways for museums to share culturally significant collections across borders.
