elc team
On September 29, 2025, history and memory will meet in the heart of Athens. The Old Parliament – the very building where Greece first set in motion its legal efforts to reunite the Parthenon Sculptures – will once again become the stage for a decisive moment: a public debate on their return.
This groundbreaking event, organized by the Greek non-profit Debate House in collaboration with the Democracy and Culture Foundation, with Victorious Network as lead sponsor and NovelCore as partner, will form part of the Athens Democracy Forum 2025.
Entitled “The Return of the Parthenon Sculptures: Who Owns the History?”, the debate is scheduled for Monday, September 29, 2025, from 19:00 to 23:00 at the historic Old Parliament building. Under the auspices of the Melina Mercouri Foundation, a distinguished panel of legal experts, academics, and archaeologists will engage in a rigorous exchange on the legal, ethical, and cultural dimensions of the issue.
The President of the Hellenic Republic, His Excellency Konstantinos Tasoulas, has expressed his support through an official letter underscoring the importance of the matter, which will be presented during the event. Simultaneous translation will be available, and admission is free for all attendees.
Confirmed Speakers
In Favor of the Return:
- Prof. Dr. Irini Stamatoudi, Professor and Head of the Department of Law, University of Nicosia
- Dr. Elena Korka, Archaeologist and Honorary General Director of Antiquities and Cultural Heritage, Hellenic Ministry of Culture
Against the Return:
- Dr. Mario Trabucco della Torretta, Distinguished Classical Archaeologist and columnist
- Dr. Dominic Selwood, Historian, Barrister, and Lecturer at the University of Exeter, London
The debate will not simply pit two sides against each other. It will probe deeper into what cultural heritage means for the world today, questioning long-held assumptions about ownership, stewardship, and historical justice. The event will be attended by ambassadors, ministers, members of parliament from both Greece and the UK, and leading voices from culture and business.
Admission is free, with live translation available, and extensive media coverage is expected.
