Presentation of the stamps

for the reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures

“Reunite Parthenon” is the central message of the stamps depicting parts of the dismembered Parthenon Sculptures, alongside a clear demand for the reunification of the monument that is a symbol of democracy.

The official presentation of the set of stamps designed by Hellenic Post for the reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures was attended by the Minister of Culture and Sport, Lina Mendoni, the CEO of the Hellenic Corporation of Assets and Participations S.A. (HCAP), Grigoris Dimitriadis, the President of the Board of Directors of the Acropolis Museum, Prof. Dimitris Pantermalis, the management of Hellenic Post, and a host of others.

In her speech, Ms. Mendoni thanked Hellenic Post for responding so quickly to her proposal for the design of the stamps and spoke extensively about the uniqueness of this moment. As she said, “A strong wave of opinion is now starting to be created, putting pressure on the British side, that these Sculptures, the works of Pheidias, must return to their birthplace, must take their place in the Acropolis Museum. The frieze of the Parthenon is a reflection of Athenian Democracy, whose supreme values ​​were Peace and Creation. Pheidias’s creation radiates unbridled power, perfection and beauty. Humanity is entitled to see this unique synthesis of Creation, Freedom and Democracy in its entirety. The international community is entitled and demands to see the artistic masterpiece as a whole, reunited here on the Acropolis. This goes to the heart of what our nation demands. This is the message that this set of stamps will take around the globe.”

For his part, the President of the Board of the Acropolis Museum, Prof. Dimitris Pantermalis, made an enlightening presentation about the mutilated parts of the sculptures depicted on the stamps and emphasised: “it is not just a technical achievement, but also an artistic achievement. (…). I am proud that Hellenic Post was able to condense this complex problem into this tiny piece of paper. Because it’s not just a matter of depicting something, but of sending a complex message around the world.”

The stamps were presented by the Chairman of the Hellenic Post Board of Directors, Polychronis Griveas, who underlined: “We offer these small but precious stamps in the service of national cultural diplomacy, in order to help reinforce the demand for reunification and strengthen the universal vision that must become a reality.”

At the presentation of the set, the Hellenic Post CEO, George Constantopoulos, stressed:  “This is perhaps the most important message in the long history of Greek stamps, which are once again proving that despite their small size, they are of enormous symbolic importance.”

Finally, the head of the Corporate Communication & Philately Departments of Hellenic Post, Lazaros Lazaridis, giving the philatelic details of the set, pointed out that “Hellenic Post has printed 5 million stamps that are ambassadors of an important message. Every time we buy one and stick it on an envelope, we all become messengers in this universal initiative.” He also presented the mini site specially created for the stamps (www.parthenonstamps.gr)

At the end of the event, the attendees had the opportunity to buy philatelic products in the set and to create collectible items by having them stamped with the special commemorative postmark.