Greece hits out at London Fashion Week for show in Elgin Marbles gallery

A row has erupted after the British Museum was accused of trivialising the Parthenon Sculptures by allowing a London Fashion Week show to take place in the gallery where they are held.

Designer Erdem Moralioglu said his show was a tribute to American-Greek singer Maria Callas and he wanted to use the Duveen Gallery as it was a “space that epitomised her Greekness”.

The gallery is home to the sculptures made by ancient Greek artist Pheidias – also known as the Elgin Marbles – which have long been claimed by the Greek government and are currently the subject of negotiations between them and the museum over a possible return.

Greek culture minister Dr Lina Mendoni said: “By organizing a fashion show in the halls where the Parthenon Sculptures are exhibited, the British Museum, once again, proves its zero respect for the masterpieces of Pheidias.

“The directors of the British Museum trivialize and insult not only the monument but also the universal values that it transmits.

“The conditions of display and storage of the sculptures, at the Duveen Gallery, are constantly deteriorating. It is time for the stolen and abused sculptural masterpieces to shine in the Attic light.”

Attempts to organise their return have ground to a halt recently with both sides unable to make a deal they can agree on with any potential plan likely to involvelong-term loans of other Greek treasures to the museum to fill the gap left bythe sculptures.

A source close to the museum told the Telegraph it wanted artists to be able to “respond to the living legacy that the Parthenon sculptures represent” while also pointing out Dr Mendoni reportedly sanctioned a deal in 2021 that allowed fashion firm Dior to film a photoshoot at the Acropolis.

The first ever shoot at the ancient Greek site was given the green light after Diorreportedly paid about €700,000 to conduct shoots in archaeological sites andmuseums as well as up to €200,000 for lost earnings from closing the Acropolis early.