Greece honours legacy of Lord Byron and his call for the return of the Parthenon Marbles

Greece has declared 2024 as the “Year of Lord Byron,” kicking off commemorative events marking the bicentennial of the iconic poet’s death with reference to his calls for the return of the Parthenon Marbles.

The announcement was made by the Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni, during the anniversary events in Messolonghi, where Byron spent his final days.

Speaking at an exhibition, Ms. Mendoni highlighted Byron’s pivotal role in the Greek War of Independence and his enduring symbol as the face of Philhellenism.

She pointed out that while other Philhellenes also contributed significantly to the cause, Byron’s untimely death in Messolonghi became a rallying point that galvanized support for the Greek cause across Europe.

Ms. Mendoni also drew attention to Byron’s early advocacy against the looting of the Parthenon Marbles by Lord Elgin. She quoted Byron’s poem “The Curse of Athena,” which criticizes the removal of the marbles, underscoring his timeless call for their return to Greece.

“The “Year of Lord Byron” will not only honor Byron’s contributions to Greece’s fight for independence,” the minister said, “but also reinforce the ongoing campaign for the reunification of the Parthenon Marbles.”

The return of the Marbles, which were taken from Ottoman-Occupied Greece by Lord Elgin in the early 1800s and sold to the British government which gave them to the museum, remains one of the longest running cultural disputes.

Greece has been demanding their return from the British Museum for decades, insisting they are a product of cultural theft.

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