Bringing to life the Parthenon Marbles

Territorians will have the unique opportunity to learn to sculpt in marble under the gaze of a true master as part of Charles Darwin University’s Hellenic Cultural Week celebrations next week.

CDU Greek and Hellenic Studies Associate Professor George Frazis said respected marble sculptor Evangelos Fylaktos would share his passion on the Parthenon at a workshop and lecture. 

“Greek history is rich and colourful with one of its most famous monuments the Parthenon being the physical and marble embodiment of Athenian wealth and perfection,” Dr Frazis said.

“Evangelos will share his expertise and provide a hands-on workshop where people can help him recreate a mini Parthenon in marble, which will be gifted to the university once finished.”

He said Mr Fylaktos, who is the president of the Hellenic Committee for the Restitution of the Acropolis Marbles, would also present a lecture on the Parthenon Marbles in Greek language that would be translated into English.

“The Parthenon Marbles are a collection of classical Greek sculptures from the Parthenon and other buildings on The Acropolis,” he said.

“A large number of the collection was taken by Thomas Bruce, 7th Earl of Elgin and later sold to the British government while Greece was under Turkish occupation in the early 1800s. Since then, many have strongly advocated for their return to their rightful home in Greece.”

Dr Frazis said Mr Fylaktos had worked on many famous archaeological sites participating in the restoration of monuments such as the Parthenon, Byzantine monuments of Philippi and Cyprus and the Propylaea of Acropolis.

“He has created many beautiful sculptures and monuments that embody ancient Greece and has received accolades for his contributions,” he said.

The lecture in English will be held on Tuesday 22 May, from 11.30am-12.30pm at building Red 6.1.01, Casuarina campus. The Greek lecture is on Wednesday 23 May, from 6.30-8.30pm at the Greek Community Hall and the public workshop is on Thursday 24 May, from 10am-1pm at the Live Darwin Hub, Smith Street Mall.