Minister Mendoni meets with committees for the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece

Greek Minister of Culture & Sports, Lina Mendoni with members of the Australian Parthenon Association. Photo: Supplied

Greek Culture & Sports Minister Lina Mendoni landed in Melbourne on Wednesday in order to inaugurate the archaeological exhibition “Open Horizons” at the Melbourne Museum, which will take place on the evening of Thursday 28 April.

The unique exhibition, ‘Open Horizons – Ancient Greek Journeys and Connections’ is the result of the creative collaboration between the National Archaeological Museum in Greece and the Melbourne Museum, and tells the story of the ancient Greek Diaspora, from the Bronze Age to now.

Earlier, in Sydney, the Greek Minister met with representatives of two of Australia’s national committees who support the repatriation of the Parthenon Marbles from Britain to Greece. On Tuesday, Ms Mendoni met with the Australian Parthenon Association’s President, David Hill, and its Vice-President George Vardas, as well as Emmanuel Comino, who is President of the International Organising Committee – Australia for the Restitution of the Parthenon Marbles.

She briefed the two Committees extensively on recent developments, following UNESCO’s important decision on 29 September, regarding Greece’s request for the return of the Marbles to Greece. In particular they discussed the forthcoming meeting of the National Committees around the world, which is to take place in Athens in September, in order to coordinate Committees in joint lobbying actions to convince the British side.

The Greek minister thanked the association’s and the committee’s heads for their continuous support and tireless efforts in promoting Greece’s request for the reunification of the Parthenon Marbles with the rest of the collection at the Acropolis Museum in Athens.

Lina Mendoni with Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his wife, Jenny, during the Resurrection service led by Orthodox Archbishop of Australia Makarios. Photo: Supplied

Ms Mendoni will be concluding her Australian tour this Friday 29 April. She had spent Easter weekend in Sydney, attending the Resurrection service led by Orthodox Archbishop of Australia Makarios at the Church of Resurrection in Kogarah, where she also met with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. As part of her visit to Australia, the Minister attended an event for ANZAC Day on Monday, where she met with NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet.