Greeks could be allowed to borrow the Parthenon Marbles
Continuing the theme, I've just spotted this article. Suggests a significant softening of attitude on behalf of the British Museum with regard to that perennial thorny issue much debated by museum studies students everywhere, I'm sure. ;)
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"Eleni Corka, an official in the Greek Culture Ministry, told the BBC: “I believe that if we discuss the issue we will find ground which will be suitable and solutions which will be profitable for both sides.” "
Sadly, it all comes down to money in the end.
Some Greek newspapers see this statement as no news, in the sense that Neil MacGregor insists on the issue of ownership. Anthony Snodgrass (Emeritus Professor in Cambridge) from the British Committee for the Restitution of the Parthenon Marbles notes that "MacGregor's offer is purely theoretical. MacGregor knows that no Greek Government would ever accept officially that the British Museum has legal ownership of the marbles" (my translation from Greek news). If so, MacGregor plays it safe.
However, the timing of the statement is interesting:
a. It comes at the moment that 6 ancient vases are returned to Greece: they were in the possesion of Professory Martin Robertson, who in his will asked them to be returned to Greece. They were returned by his son yesterday.
b. Also, on the 4th of May there is a meeting in London (organised by UNESCO) of officials from the Greek Ministry of Culture, the British Museum and the DCMS. The subject of the meeting is the potential exhibition of the marbles in the new Acropolis Museum.
In this context, perhaps MacGregor prepares the ground?
Regarding the word 'profitable': I believe it's bad translation from Greek, or if she spoke in English, use of the wrong word. The Greek word must have been "ωφέλιμες" (ofelimes), which means beneficial. Even if she has used the word "κερδοφόρες" (kerdofores) the Greek word for profitable, this word in Greek does not have only a monetary meaning: profit (kerdos) can also be of other type.
Don't take me wrong, I am not trying to justify anything. I do believe that both the BM and the Greek museums have both benefited AND profited from this ongoing debate. But, it is unlikely that she used the word profitable with the literal meaning it has in English.