Italy returns to Greece a fragment of the Parthenon frieze
The chronological issue of the return of the Parthenon Sculptures from the British Museum remains open, despite increasing pressure from the London Foundation and from the international community and leading political figures. However, a first ray of light is visible at the end of the Parthenon tunnel, as today a piece of the eastern frieze of the Parthenon was officially handed over to the Acropolis Museum, which was located in the Antonino Salinas Museum in Palermo, Sicily.
As stated in the announcements of the Acropolis Museum and the Ministry of Culture and Sports, this marble piece, known as the “Fagan fragment”, was exhibited in the Athenian museum initially for a period of eight years. Most importantly, however, there is the already expressed will of the Regional Government of Sicily to keep the fragment indefinitely (sine die) in the Acropolis Museum.
The “Fagan” marble fragment coming from the Antonino Salina Museum in Sicily to the Acropolis Museum
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The Fagan fragment is a fragment of the stone VI of the eastern frieze of the Parthenon, which depicts the gods of Olympus sitting, as they watch the procession and delivery of the veil to the goddess Athens, the patron saint of Athens. The fragment depicts the lower extremities of the goddess Artemis, who is gazing at the procession of the Panathenians approaching the great temple.
The prospect of indefinite return
In his statement, the Counselor of Cultural Heritage and Sicilian Identity, Alberto Samona, stressed.“This is a cultural agreement of outstanding international importance, signed by Sicily with Greece, and which provides for the transfer to Athens of the fragment of a slab belonging to the eastern frieze of the Parthenon, which is now kept in the Regional Archaeological Museum Antonino Salina in Palermo. This is the so-called “Fagan” plate, a Pentelic marble fragment depicting the foot of the Goddess Artemis (Goddess of Hunting), seated on a throne. A move that the signatory Regional Councilor of Cultural Heritage and Sicilian Identity, Alberto Samona, wanted and shared with the Greek Minister of Culture and Sports, Lina Mendoni, a move of strong symbolic value for Greek culture: Sicily, with him. in fact, a pioneer in the issue of the return of the Parthenon marbles to Greece, contributing decisively to the debate that has been going on for a long time worldwide. “
The Acropolis museum
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Mr. Samona continued emphasizing “The sense of cultural brotherhood that connects Sicily and Greece, in the context of recognizing the common Mediterranean roots and the ancient and deep ties between the two countries”, he talked about “Building a Europe of Culture that has its roots in our history and identity“, While regarding the top issue for Greece of the permanent repatriation of the fragment, Mr. Samona unequivocally stated:
“The will of Sicily, in fact, is that of the finding of indefinite return to Greece. In this regard, the Region of Sicily, in addition to promoting the reciprocal development agreement between the two museums, has asked the Ministry of Culture of the Italian Republic for a path leading to the successful outcome of this possibility (return): the process has begun “At the moment, the issue is under discussion within the Committee for the Recovery and Restoration of Cultural Heritage set up at the Ministry.”
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