INTERNATIONAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE – AUSTRALIA, FOR THE RESTITUTION OF THE PARTHENON MARBLES.

SAE Conference, Thessaloniki December 2001.

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am pleased and happy to be at this, the 4^th SAE Conference and to be given the opportunity to speak on one of my favourite topics, the Parthenon Marbles, otherwise known by the British Museum as the Elgin Marbles. But we know better. How can anyone call them the Elgin Marbles when we know it took twenty thousand tonnes of patelic marble to build the greatest building ever built by man – the Parthenon. Designed by Iktinas and Kalikratis, the architects and decorated by Phidias, the great sculptor who sculpted the 92 metopes, the 160 metres of the frieze and the huge statures of the east and west pediments.

On 26^th September 1687, the venetian General Fransesco Morosini had the Parthenon under siege and it took one cannon shell to blown the roof and one side of the Parthenon but most of the sculptures remained in position.

From around 1801- 1803, Lord Elgin’s agents, men like Gionavvi Bastista Lucieri, (the Italian artist) and Elgin's Priest, (Dr. Rev Phillip hunt) with threats and bribes to the Turkish authorities ruling Athens at the time, managed to cause irreparable damage to the Parthenon or should I say, "Ton Xerizosan". In 1976, after touring Europe for the first time and seeing Hellenic antiquities in every museum, my wife and I visited, we quickly came to the conclusion that these fine works of art should all be returned to Hellos, where they came from and where they rightfully belong.

I read several book on these ancient antiquities and decided that the then names "Elgin Marbles", were, and still are and always will be the most important cultural issue for Greece, its history and its people.

Today, the restitution of the Parthenon Marbles is the most importance cultural issue in the world; and more importantly this issue will not go away until they have been returned. Why?

• Because the Parthenon Sculptures are an integral part of the building. For example, the 160 metres of the frieze and 92 metopes were supporting the roof.
• The Parthenon and its sculptures mean democracy and civilisation to the world and even more importantly to the Greeks, they also represent our identity.

As the late Melina Mercouri stated, it is the body and soul of the Greek Nation and its people. It is the continuation of our Greek history.

But, how are we going to get them back home?

Get the message out.

On 6^th October 1981, I am proud to say, I founded the very first committee in the world, through the Order of Ahepa (Australia), working for the return of the Parthenon Marbles. This was at a time before it became such a popular cultural issue. It wasn’t widely known or discussed. Now we have the opposite; people not only wish to get involved, they try to take over.

In 1998, I was asked by Prof. Venezelos, the Greek Minister for Culture (through the British Committee) to make my Ahepa (Australia) committee for the restitution of the Parthenon Marbles, more formal by inviting non-Ahepa members and Anglo-Saxons to join. I was also asked to chair this committee. I immediately formed the committee naming it the "International Organising Committee – Australia – for the Restitution of the Parthenon Marbles". I am pleased to say I am still the Chairman of this hard working committee, of new and old members.

Over the years I have given many lectures (which include over 100 slides) at universities, schools, clubs, professional associations and brotherhoods, in every state of Australia and the Territories. I have given lectures at the Ahepa (American) Supreme Convention, the American College of Athens in Greece and at universities and at schools in New Zealand. I have also given numerous radio and television interviews.

My experience tells me, and I strongly believe that there are tow issues that are preventing the return of the marble to Greece.

Firstly, the precedent issue and secondly and most importantly, England needs to save face (should they need to be returned.

How do we solve these two issues? Easy!

It is of the utmost importance that British and Greek authorities get together on a round table basis to discuss and resolve the issues in the most friendly, respectful and peaceful manner possible.

Then when they agree to return the marbles, England makes the historic announcement, together with Greece.

I believe that when the British people and their politicians know the truth, they will be in favour of restitution. According to a survey by the British magazine, the Economist, in March 2000, if there was to be a free vote in the British Parliament at that time, 66% of the members would have voted for restitution.

The struggle in now international and I would strongly urge all Greeks of the Diaspora to marshal support in their home countries by working together and by getting to their top political figures to gain their support and to write to the Prime Minister of Great Britain. We have done this in Australia and New Zealand. We have been very successful in having our top level politicians on side and speaking out openly for restitution.

Thank you
Emanuel J. Comino OAM
Founder and Chairman