Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni reiterated Greece’s call for the return of the Parthenon Sculptures to their birthplace, Athens, during the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference urging member states to support what she described as a “just and deeply symbolic cause”.
“The Parthenon is a unique monument, a global symbol of democracy and an unparalleled artistic achievement; a heritage that belongs not only to Greece but to all of humanity,” Mendoni said.
She reiterated that Greece’s position on the reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures remains “unwavering”, emphasizing that the Parthenon must be restored to its full integrity as an indivisible artistic whole at the Acropolis Museum.
Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni reiterated Greece’s call for the return of the Parthenon Sculptures to their birthplace, Athens, during the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference. Photo: Greek Culture Ministry
Mendoni also addressed the ongoing threat of illicit trafficking of cultural goods, calling for greater international cooperation and public awareness to protect cultural heritage. She noted that Greece continues to champion cultural protection on the global stage, referencing her recent participation at the Mondiacult 2025 conference in Barcelona, where she stressed the need to safeguard heritage from both human and natural crises.
The minister further highlighted Greece’s recent submission to UNESCO for the inclusion of the wider Mount Olympus region on the World Heritage List, and the international recognition of February 9 as World Greek Language Day.
The Parthenon Sculptures, illegally removed from the Acropolis in the early 19th century by Lord Elgin and currently housed in the British Museum, have been the subject of an ongoing dispute between Greece and the UK for more than three decades. The issue has remained on UNESCO’s agenda for over 40 years, with growing international support for their eventual reunification in Athens.
