Recording-2025-09-09T13:33:30.219Z

Japan

  • Position: Fully supports the repatriation of the Parthenon marbles (Elgin marbles) and communicates this quickly (under a minute).
  • Proposals for restitution package:
    • Offer financial aid to the British Museum for returning the marbles to Greece as a transaction.
    • Provide financial aid to Greece, specifically to the Acropolis Museum in Athens, to maintain safety and security of the marbles.
  • Historical accountability:
    • Acknowledges that Japan has been involved in artifact theft in the past and has had its own artifacts stolen, signaling continued support for repatriation of artifacts that were wrongfully taken.
  • Repatriation approach:
    • Support for repatriation on a case-by-case basis, considering safety, security, and insurance of the artifacts to be repatriated.
  • Court/approval process:
    • Seeks affirmation/approval from relevant stakeholders before proceeding.
  • Key terms:
    • Parthenon marbles = Elgin marbles.
    • Repatriation = returning artifacts to the country of origin.

Christie’s ambassador statement

  • Role: Ambassador for Christie’s, a premier British auction house.
  • View on ownership and legal status:
    • Believes the marbles should remain with the British Museum in the foreseeable future due to a legal document permitting the sale.
    • Aims to protect credibility with clients who use the auction house for buying and selling art that may originate from other countries and cultures.
  • Safety concerns:
    • Emphasizes a large risk in moving the Elgin marbles because they are extremely fragile and moving them could cause more damage.
  • Restitution framework (voluntary and market-driven):
    • World is interested in voluntary returns from owners/holders in exchange for fair market value; Christie’s can implement this framework.
  • Restitution and support ideas:
    • Proposes ideas to provide restitution or funds to Greece to improve its cultural institutions (e.g., the Republic of Congo is mentioned as an example of expressing support for Greece).
  • Ethical justification:
    • Encourages museums, organizations, and countries that profit from displaying artifacts to recognize that returning artifacts preserves culture and righting historical injustices.
    • Argues that past colonial injustices should be acknowledged and rectified where possible.
  • Scope of return:
    • Not limited to the Elgin Marbles; calls for the return of all stolen artifacts to their country of origin upon request to rectify injustices and support national pride.

Belgium

  • Repetition of Japan’s position:
    • Belgium states that Japan fully supports the repatriation of the Parthenon marbles.
    • Offers financial aid to the British Museum for returning the marbles to Greece and financial aid to the Acropolis Museum in Athens to maintain safety and security.
  • Historical accountability:
    • As a state that has stolen artifacts from other states and had its own artifacts stolen, Belgium reiterates commitment to repatriation of artifacts that were wrongfully taken (Parthenon marbles).
  • Global approach:
    • Supports case-by-case consideration for other global repatriation inquiries, focusing on safety, security, and insurance.
  • Moral stance:
    • Unilaterally condemns nations that retain previously stolen cultural artifacts.
    • Argues the Elgin marbles should be returned to Greece immediately as a foundation of cultural ownership.
  • Public relations and visitor data:
    • Notes that the British Museum receives 4,470,0004{,}470{,}000 more visitors annually than the Acropolis Museum in Athens.
  • Compensation and preservation plan:
    • Proposes compensation: 2%2\% of the museum’s annual donations to Greece to allow the artifacts to remain in their current home; extends this compensation to other concerned