GREECE STAMPS URGE RETURN OF PARTHENON MARBLES

Greece have issued a set of four stamps which has been described as conveying ‘the most important message in the long history of Greek stamps’, with an appeal for the Marbles of the Parthenon to be returned to Greece.

The ‘Sculptures of the Parthenon’ stamps, issued on 19 May, depict sections of the famous sculptures which were removed from the Parthenon in Athens by Lord Elgin between 1801 and 1812. These artefacts, sometimes referred to as the ‘Elgin Marbles’ were later sold to The British Museum in London, where they have been on display for decades, despite ongoing calls for them to be returned to Athens.

Polychronis Griveas, Chairman of BOD of Hellenic Post, said: ‘True to its social role, Hellenic Post has marked every form of cultural expression of our country over the last two centuries with a wealth of philatelic works, reflecting Greece’s entire history from ancient times to the present through stamps that have made their own history. Key points in this history, people who have marked its development, works by world famous artists, events that have defined the nation’s dream, all these – and much more – comprise the journey taken by Greek stamps as they have taken our homeland around the whole world. And on this journey, the time has come to add the pressing demand of so many decades, the return of the Parthenon sculptures.’

To accompany the stamps, the Greece postal service has also launched a mini website (at www.parthenonstamps.gr/en) which details the set and sheds more light on the call for the sculptures to be returned to Athens.