Yes, you have overlooked that important distinction. It's free to enter the British museum, spend as much time as you like there, and look at all the exhibits.
Look, the british museum was wrong to pay for all the artefacts that were stolen, but it has done a great deal fo work since in caring for them. many of its exhibits now are not solely limited to the museum itself but are travelling exhibits that go to MANY countries, not just being hoarded by England. yes, a guided tour is different to paying an entrance fee - its what pays the staffs wages. several of the countries who have artefacts in the british museum are included in programs to share information and artefacts, and benefit from the british museums careful caretaking of their national treasures. steling is wrong. yes. but until the native countries can provide equal or better facilities to keep the artefacts safe and in good condition then the british museum should continue its upkeep of treasures that all the world should be able to have access to and appreciate. people have tried and failed before to make the british museum see the error of its ways - the Greek government made a bid to regain the frizs from the parthenon but because they had no way of correctly caring for their welfare, world heritage refused their application. so i dont think any attemps to speak to the cultural minister would go unheard
why should they be returned at all? the frieze and other hellenic artifacts(vases, statues, etc) belong to the western world, not to greece. The only reason we still have many of these artifacts is because wealthy people removed them from the country. I'd rather the british hold onto the frieze and ensure its safety then allow it to be returned to greece which has been in continual strife for oh...the past 4000 years?
well i think you are making a big jump in inferring that the western world = america...but alright, i'll go with you on that one
