British Committee for the Reunification of the Parthenon Marbles

The British Committee for the Reunification of the Parthenon Marbles (BCRPM) is a group of British people who support the return of the Parthenon (Elgin) marbles to Athens, Greece.

The inspiration for the campaign came from Melina Mercouri, who strongly argued for the restitution of the marbles. James Cubitt, a British architect, decided to start a campaign and the result was the present Committee.

BCRPM is based in London and was set up in 1983 by Robert Browning, Emeritus Professor of Greek at the University of London and Eleni Cubitt, film maker and wife of James Cubitt.

The first members who joined the Committee were:

• Christopher Price, journalist, broadcaster, former MP
• Graham Binns, broadcaster administrator
• Brian Clark, playwright
• Sir Michael Dummett, professor
• W. G. (George) Forrest , professor
• John Gould, professor

In 2005, based on discussions with the public, the committee changed its name from British Committee for the Restitution of the Parthenon Marbles to British Committee for the Reunification of the Parthenon Marbles, as it was felt that out of all the arguments surrounding the Elgin Marbles, that of reunifying two separated collections was perceived by many people as the most compelling.

In 2007 BCRPM's committee consisted of:

• Professor Anthony Snodgrass (chairman)
• Mr Christopher Price (deputy chairman)
• Mr Richard Allan (deputy chairman)
• Mr Eleni Cubitt Secretary
• Professor AAM Bryer, scholar
• Professor Paul Cartledge, scholar
• Professor Judith Herrin, scholar
• Mr Keith Hunter OBE
• Mr George Bizose Lawyer
• Mr Matthew Taylor
• Jane Shallice
• David Hill from the Australian Committee for Restitution.

Supporters of the Committee include:

• Sir John Mortimer
• Lord Ted Willis
• C.M. Woodhouse, soldier, scholar, MP
• Lord Ponsonby
• Janet Suzman
• Spike Milligan

As BCRPM says, it has received support from the actors:

• Judi Dench
• Vanessa Redgrave
• Ian McKellen
• Fiona Shaw

The sponsors of the Committee, who financed the campaign, include:

• Nana Mouskouri (Greek)
• Mr. John Polyzoides (Greek)

See also

• Parthenon

External link

• Official Web Site