His new manager British Museum, Nicholas Callinan, suggests the possibility of a “lending library” procedure under his supervision, which may pave the way for the return of Sculptors of the Parthenon.
Nicholas Callinan, who is also the former head of the National Portrait Gallery, said he wanted to “do something positive” with the museum’s heritage, as debate continues over the return of important colonial history items to in their countries of origin.The Parthenon sculptures cannot return permanently to Greece, due to a 1963 act”
When asked about the return of antiquities on a temporary basis, including the Parthenon marbles and Benin bronzes, Nicholas Callinan, who spoke to the BBC on Thursday July 18, opened the door to an agreement to lend the items to in their countries of origin.
“I hope that some form of collaboration is possible and that’s something that I think we want to continue. I think it’s a little early for me to know the details of how that will work, but I’m hopeful me,” he said.
However, he replied that the Parthenon Sculptures could not be permanently returned to Greece, due to a 1963 act of parliament that prevented the law from returning certain works, but no doubt its willingness to collaborate with other institutions around the world represents a new foundation for the museum, which has about 8 million objects in its collection.
Cullinan added that he is open to working with other museums around the world and returning items on loan is a model he likes.
“The challenge for us is not to deny it or suppress it, but to be open – but then to think about how we can do something positive with this legacy,” reported the Independent.
Previously, the former director of the British Museum, Sir Mark Jones, said that the museum should share the Parthenon Sculptures with Greece and that foreign visitors should pay a ticket to enter the exhibits in London.