Why is there one Caryatid at the British Museum and five in Athens?

The people of Greece, the international community or art and heritage lovers, and historians worldwide are deeply impacted by the fragmented state of the Caryatid Sisters from the Erechtheion on the Acropolis. These statues, part of a unique architectural marvel that has stood not only as a symbol of Ancient Greek civilisation, but the democracy that they introduced, are currently divided, with one being in the British Museum and the others remaining in Athens.

This separation not only diminishes the historical and cultural significance of these works but also disrupts the narrative of Greek heritage and compromises te integrity of this important monument.

If these statues remain separated as a result of this cultural looting, a vital piece of ancient history will continue to be incomplete.

Reuniting the Caryatids would restore the historical and cultural strength and togetherness that these statue symbolise. The reunification would represent a step forward redressing historical imbalances and acknowledging the importance of cultural heritage preservation, and the importance of admitting that we did steal this artwork.

The time to act is now. With growing international support for the reunification of cultural artefacts, the reuniting of the Caryatid statues would set a powerful precedent for cultural restoration and cooperation. As the custodians of global heritage, we have a responsibility to restore these statues to their rightful context for future generations. Immediate action will preserve the integrity of the Caryatids and also signal a commitment to reuniting people and cultures through a shared history.

This petition will urge te responsible institutions to act now to return the Caryatid statue to Greece, where it can join its counterparts and be appreciated as a complete work of art once again.