A glitzy, black-tie charity dinner held over the weekend at the British Museum has ignited immediate diplomatic fury, with Greece condemning the institution for treating the Parthenon Sculptures as "decorations."
The controversy erupted after the museum hosted its inaugural "Pink Ball," a high-profile fundraiser, with dining tables set directly among the disputed ancient artifacts.
The event, which charged guests up to £2,000 per ticket, was co-hosted by British Museum Director Dr. Nicholas Cullinan and Indian arts patron Isha Ambani, daughter of Asia’s richest man.
The ball, themed to coincide with the museum’s “Ancient India: Living Traditions” exhibition, drew around 800 guests, including former U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan, and celebrities such as Naomi Campbell and Mick Jagger.
The glamorous spectacle starkly contrasted with the solemnity of the surrounding Greek statues, a constant source of diplomatic tension as Greece continues its long-standing campaign for their repatriation to Athens.
Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni sharply condemned the museum’s action, stating it was "offensive to cultural assets and endanger[ed] the exhibits."
Mr. Mendoni lamented that the museum’s management “once again used the Parthenon Sculptures as decorations for this event.”
She stressed that safety, integrity, and ethics should be the museum’s primary concern, yet the institution showed "blatant disregard."
The wife of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Mareva Grabowski, also weighed in on social media, calling the choice of venue "at the very least, inappropriate."
The incident follows a similar controversy years prior when a fashion show by Turkish designer Erdem took place in the same gallery.
The Parthenon Sculptures remain a central symbol in Greece’s calls for cultural restitution, a cause that has intensified diplomatic talks between London and Athens over the possibility of the marbles’ reunification with the collection housed in the Acropolis Museum.