the backward glance

At the British Museum you can find a controversial display of parts of the parthenon sculptures from Greece. Greece wants it shipped back to Athens; Britain wants to keep it in London.

British Museum:
The trustees remain convinced that the current division allows different and complementary stories to be told about the surviving sculptures, highlighting their significance for world culture.

Greece:
The parthenon sculptures are not freestanding pieces of art. They were created as architectural and symbolic parts of the temple of Athena.... and are meaningful only next to the temple, in their natural and historical environment.

Lord Elgin, 1802:
The least thing from Athens is invaluable.... I beg you therefore to put some on board ship.