The Source: ABC to call ‘Elgin marbles’ the Parthenon Marbles following Greek community backlash

Melbourne’s Greek community has welcomed clarity from the national broadcaster about how it will refer to what has been called “the pinnacle of Ancient Greek art”.

Putting the squeeze on Victoria’s movers, shakers and headline makers.

Melbourne’s Greek community has applauded the ABC’s response to its demand that the long-labelled Elgin marbles be hereby referred to as the Parthenon Marbles.

Amid spluttered UK-Greece discussions about the future of the 2500-old sculptures (they were basically pinched from Athens by Thomas Bruce, the 7th Earl of Elgin, in the early 19th century), the ABC acknowledged that the “Elgin marbles” usage had dimmed.

In a letter to the Greek Community of Melbourne, the ABC said: “That usage [of the terminology] has changed and it has become increasingly common, including by the ABC, to refer to all the marbles as the ‘Parthenon Marbles’ and providing historical context if required in relation to those held in the British Museum. That is, the default naming will be Parthenon Marbles but the use of ‘Elgin marbles’ may be used if it is necessary or useful in providing historical context.”

GCM president Bill Papastergiadis hoped that the momentum for the return of the Parthenon Marbles — regarded as “the pinnacle of Ancient Greek art” — to Athens would continue.

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