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Greece PM Laments Lack of Progress with UK on Parthenon Sculptures

An employee views examples of the Parthenon sculptures, sometimes referred to in the UK as the Elgin Marbles, on display at the British Museum in London, Britain, January 25, 2023. (Reuters)
An employee views examples of the Parthenon sculptures, sometimes referred to in the UK as the Elgin Marbles, on display at the British Museum in London, Britain, January 25, 2023. (Reuters)
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Greece PM Laments Lack of Progress with UK on Parthenon Sculptures

An employee views examples of the Parthenon sculptures, sometimes referred to in the UK as the Elgin Marbles, on display at the British Museum in London, Britain, January 25, 2023. (Reuters)
An employee views examples of the Parthenon sculptures, sometimes referred to in the UK as the Elgin Marbles, on display at the British Museum in London, Britain, January 25, 2023. (Reuters)

Talks over a possible return of the British Museum's Parthenon Sculptures to Athens are not advancing quickly enough, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Sunday as he prepared to meet British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak this week.

Athens has long campaigned for the return of the Elgin Marbles, as they are often described. The 75 meters of Parthenon frieze, 15 metopes and 17 sculptures were removed by diplomat Lord Elgin in the early 19th century, when he was ambassador to the Ottoman Empire then ruling Greece.

"We have not made as much progress as I would like in the negotiations," Mitsotakis told BBC television on Sunday. "I'm a patient man, and we've waited for hundreds of years, and I will persist in these discussions.

"We feel that the sculptures belong to Greece and that they were essentially stolen," Mitsotakis added before playing down the ownership aspect of the discussions and focusing instead on the importance of reuniting the sculptures with those in Athens.

British officials say the works were acquired legally.

Sunak in March ruled out any change to a law that stops the British Museum handing the marbles back to Greece permanently, but the legislation does not prohibit a loan.

George Osborne, a former British finance minister who is chairman of the museum's trustees, this month expressed hope for a deal that would allow the sculptures "to be seen in Athens".

Mitsotakis is due to meet Sunak on Tuesday, a day after a meeting Keir Starmer, leader of Britain's opposition Labour Party, which is riding high in opinion polls ahead of an election expected in 2024.

The Financial Times last week reported that Starmer would not block a "mutually acceptable" loan deal for the sculptures.

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DCT Abu Dhabi Launches House of Artisans Design Competition

The competition aims to celebrate the rich heritage of traditional Emirati handicrafts and the artisans behind them. WAM
The competition aims to celebrate the rich heritage of traditional Emirati handicrafts and the artisans behind them. WAM
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DCT Abu Dhabi Launches House of Artisans Design Competition

The competition aims to celebrate the rich heritage of traditional Emirati handicrafts and the artisans behind them. WAM
The competition aims to celebrate the rich heritage of traditional Emirati handicrafts and the artisans behind them. WAM

House of Artisans, an initiative under The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) which is dedicated to preserving the UAE's rich heritage of craftmanship, has announced an exciting open call for UAE-based designers, creative studios, and design students.

Sponsored by Mubadala, the House of Artisans Design Competition offers a platform for emerging designers and artists in the UAE to showcase their creativity, with the winning design prominently displayed at Mubadala's Headquarters, Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported Thursday.

This unique opportunity invites participants to draw inspiration from the time-honored traditions fostered by House of Artisans, where the skills of Emirati craft have been passed down through generations and are kept alive through training courses, educational workshops, and community events.

The competition aims to celebrate the rich heritage of traditional Emirati handicrafts and the artisans behind them while harnessing innovation in art and furniture design. Mubadala Foundation’s sponsorship of this first edition underscores a shared commitment to support local talent, WAM said.

Participants will work with artisans and handicraft professionals in creating designs that merge the past and present through intricate craftsmanship and contemporary design. Submissions are open until February 9.

Entries can be submitted across the three categories of Art, Furniture Design, and Product Design. For the Art category, participants can submit paintings, sculptures, or any other visual artwork embodying the essence of traditional handicrafts in a contemporary context.

In the Furniture Design category, submissions can include original furniture designs, such as chairs, tables, light fixtures and more, that reflect a blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern aesthetics. For the Product Design category, submissions can include unique products under the theme of ‘everyday household items’, including ceramics, tableware, and accessories.

From the initial pool of applicants, twenty candidates will be shortlisted for a tailored design development program, culminating in the selection of eight winners.

Submissions will be evaluated in a blind-judging process by a panel of experts from art, design, traditional handicrafts, and educational fields, alongside key members from House of Artisans and Mubadala Foundation. To select the winners from each category, entries will be judged based on selection criteria including creativity, craftsmanship, innovation, relevance to the theme, and overall artistic and design merit.