Dear Museum-L members I have just read the e-mail that Chris Hastings sent on the 15/05/2005 regarding the Parthenon Marbles and I am frankly infuriated by those revelations. If the mentioned incidents are facts I can only feel fury and sadness for the future of such world heritage. Such "Museum Professionals" should disguise their deeply ignorant and nationalistic attitudes behind the security of their institution -The British Museum- and avoid in the future statements such as: "This is a creative and living achievement of the Enlightenment. The Parthenon, on the other hand, is a ruin that can never now be restored." or : "There is no evidence that the early 19th-century Greeks actually had any real sense of the archaeological or artistic importance of the sculptures." It is scary knowing that people in such vital positions can act with so much arrogance and indifference to the past/present history and desires of a whole nation. Enough with the same old story that if the British Museum returns the Parthenon Marbles there will be an issue of repatriation from other countries as well!!! Greece has generously filled the collection of hundred's British or not Museums with ancient Greek artefacts and this is an undeniable truth. When refering to the Perthenon Marbles though we are refering to a UNIQUE piece of art work that was conceptualised, designed and made for the Greeks.It is a landmark and symbol of a whole civilisation.The Greek nation has started stabilising its political and financial situation only the last 40 years and therefore could thank in that sense the British for looking after the Marbles -eventhough with those recent revelations they heve not done their best after all.It is though their very duty to return something that was obviously stolen -during the Othomanic occupation-if their best interest is the preservation of the World Heritage, as they claim. At this point I wonder whether it has to do anymore with any of the above "sincere" excuses or whether it is all about the visitor numbers going through the door of the British Museum and the prestige that the Parthenon Marbles offer to the collection of the Museum. I am convinced that Pathenon Marbles will return where they belong sooner or later , but it is worthwhile taking into consideration such revelations and statements by "respectable" citizens such as Sir John's Boyd and Chris's Smith and condemn them for the sake of World Culture and Heritage. regards, C.G. _________________________________________________________________ Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today it's FREE! http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/ ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).