Temples

The first full moon of the new year rises behind the Parthenon in Athens, on Thursday night. [Yiannis Liakos/InTime News]

Heritage science helps us understand the historical and cultural context of architectural ruins, including ancient Greek temples

Fireworks explode over the ancient Parthenon temple atop the Acropolis hill during New Year's day celebrations, amid the coronavirus disease pandemic in Athens, January 1. With vaccinations against Covid-19 having begun, Greece and the world looks ahead to 2021 with hope after a turbulent year. [Reuters]

Flowers bloom with the Parthenon temple seen in the background, during the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak, in Athens, Tuesday. [Alkis Konstantinidis/Reuters]

Culture Minister Lina Mendoni sent a message of condolence to the friends and family of Greek-born film-maker Eleni Cubitt, one of the founding members of the British Committee for the Reunification of the Parthenon Marbles (BCRPM), who passed away on Friday morning.

Cubitt was born in Thessaloniki and lived in London.

In his wonderful "Book of Travel," famed Ottoman explorer Evliya Celebi (1611-1682) said that writers of all faiths regard Athens as the "home of wise men." Celebi sang the city's praises in a beautifully written paean after visiting Athens in 1668. He encountered a medieval city, where the Parthenon was still almost intact.

Culture Minister Lina Mendoni has described comments in an op-ed in the Sunday Times by British Museum Director Ηartwig Fischer about the Parthenon Marbles as "unfortunate, if not outright unacceptable."

Culture Minister Lina Mendoni has described comments in an op-ed in the Sunday Times by British Museum Director Ηartwig Fischer about the Parthenon Marbles as "unfortunate, if not outright unacceptable."

Now that times have changed and Britain is leaving the European Union, it's time to reconsider Greece's claim for the return of the Parthenon sculptures, according to an opinion piece in the Washington Post published this weekend.

Despite the differing opinions today, the author notes, the case is stronger than ever that they should return to Athens, the cradle of Western culture.

The European Union has hardened its stance ahead of negotiations on a new deal with Britain, which left the bloc at the end of last month, demanding fair competition guarantees that would "stand the test of time", according to a document seen by Reuters on Tuesday.