The British Museum which is really popular in the
world offer the diversity of the cultures, ancient and modern and the collections of the British Museum were
often make an offer to see the valuable things. Many people go to the British
Museum for seeing Parthenon Marbles from all over the world, and some of them
even do not know about what story is in it. Even before move in to the British
Museum, the Parthenon Marbles had a tough life. Once it was bomb storage. Also,
the Parthenon Marbles had serious damage by the Ottoman Empire named Lord Elgin and he take them off to the Greece and
move to the British. Also, for moving the Marbles, they even cut into pieces.
According to thedailybeast, In the course of his Ottoman escapade, he lost the
following: his beautiful and rich wife to his best friend, a big chunk of his
nose to a nasty infection he'd caught in Constantinople and, ultimately, his
marbles, which he was forced to sell to the British government in 1816 for
£35,000 (roughly equivalent to $4 million today) to dig himself out of debt
after his divorce. It is quite ridiculous story and I think that it is unreasonable
story for that. Now the Parthenon Marbles are the heart of the British Museum
and they do not even think about to return it. From 1816, the British Museum
has insisted ownership of the Parthenon Marbles. Also they claim that the
marbles symbolize the beginning of civilization so they say it is not only belonging
to the Greece. I think that whatever is not belonging to own culture, they
should not take it forever just like the British Museum. Just for the museum
display encourages aesthetics would not be the reason for keeping the beautiful
monument. Personally, I am from Korea and we were once a subordinate to the
Japan, so our country’s power was weak. At that time, our precious relics were
taken by many other countries such as France, China, and, Japan. We are
demanding the restitution of the relics but many countries still insist that they
do not want to return it. Once, France has lent one of our valuable ancient
records for the five years and they want to renewal the contract, but I think
we will not going to give them back. Even though it could be difficult and take
some times, our country will try hard to get the relics back. Seriously I
understand that how Greek feels about it. I feel like the countries that taken
the precious relics insist ridiculously. So I think that the Parthenon marbles
should be returned to Athens. I believe that if the Parthenon Marbles move to
the Athens, we could see the complete form of the temple and we could deeply
move our heart. The British Museum might not want to return it but I truly wish
that the valuable relics could be getting back in original place. One day I
want to see the result of our efforts for get back our valuable and precious
relics.
It was nice to read your own perspective on this topic, particularly in regards to Korea and Japan. I'm not very familiar with Korean art and history. How sad to hear that Korean relics were taken to other countries during that period of subordination.
ReplyDelete-Prof. Bowen
You have good facts to build up to your point. I like how you were able to make a personal connection to this dilemma and bring a different outlook on the situation. I think that added to your response.
ReplyDeleteIt is understandable that the British want to keep the marbles in their museum being that they get many tourists coming to see them.If I were them I would probably be just as stubborn because they bring in profit, so why would I choose to send them back for them to get my profit?
ReplyDelete