THE AMERICAN COMMITTEE FOR THE REUNIFICATION OF THE PARTHENON SCULPTURES, INC.
Our Committee is a duly recognized IRS § 501(c)(3) NOT-FOR-PROFIT organization, whose purpose is to educate the public on a local, state, national and international level on the compelling need to protect, preserve and repatriate looted cultural property to its country of origin – most particularly to effect the return from London to Athens of the Parthenon Sculptures. Also known as the "Elgin Marbles," the Parthenon Sculptures are a collection of some of the most acclaimed and symbolic sculptures that the world has ever known. For Generations the Parthenon and her Marbles have served as a paradigm of modern art and architecture and, without question, are the cultural property of Greece. The sculptures were an integral part of the temple that adorned the walls of the Parthenon for nearly 2,500 years until they were forcibly removed between 1801 and 1810 by the British Lord Elgin. The taking is the foremost example of 19th Century looting that has filled the trophy cases of the British Museum with looted treasures and spoils of war amassed at the height of European Colonialism. The taking occurred at a time when Greece was occupied by the Ottoman Empire, as she had been for nearly four centuries prior thereto; at a time when she was without the power to stop the pillage. The circumstances surrounding the taking, the documented bribery and extortion employed by Elgin and his men to effect the dismemberment and to box and ship Greece's most prized piece of cultural property is what has made this debate the cause celebre amongst all restitution claims in the world.
On behalf of our Board of Directors and Honorary Members, I thank you for visiting our site and I hope you are interested in joining our organization and helping our cause. Your participation can be as much or as little as you want it to be; we appreciate everyone's involvement. Please remember that your membership and/or donation is tax deductible so please think of our organization when you are completing your annual taxes or completing your estate planning – without your support we can only go so far. Help us in righting a historical wrong. Help us in reclaiming looted cultural property and returning these treasures to their country of origin. Help us return the Parthenon Sculptures to their rightful home in Athens, not London. Remember, it is our history we are fighting for.
Best regards and sincere thanks for your support,
Michael Reppas, President
International Colloquy: "Parthenon. An Icon of Global Citizenship"
Sydney 15 - 17 November 2013
The American Committee for the Reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures is proud to join the Australian and British Committees once again for our second International Colloquy. The preservation of antiquities and the protection of the cultural property of a people is of paramount importance to the citizens of the world in this 21st Century.
The matters shared and discussed at this event will greatly assist in the continued development of mutual cultural respect.
Building bridges between different ethnic people, with different religions, histories and cultures starts by the global recognition of each people's cultural property – their prized historical artifacts – their identities. It will an honor and privilege to travel to Australia and participate in this worthwhile event where the importance of our shared beliefs and visions of the future can be exchanged.
For more information visit the event's website:
