Who doesn’t know them, the Koren (κόρη – girl, virgin), the beautiful, marble virgins of the Parthenon, the Caryatids. As symbols of beauty of their time, they stand in the Acropolis area and carry the Erechtheion. The Erechtheion is best known for its vestibule, which is supported by six larger-than-life girl figures instead of columns. Their job is to guard the Holy of Holies.
One of the six Koren was brought to Britain by Lord Elgin in 1811 and is still in the British Museum today. Since then, the Caryatids have become the symbol for all of Greece’s stolen ancient treasures, which are “drawn away” to various museums around the world. Just like the Venus of Milos, which is still trapped in the Louvre today.
the Lothians blogspot.com
They are a symbol of a new self-confidence among the Greeks and the resulting movement to protect cultural assets and return the deported treasures to their homeland. The actress Melina Mercouri was the most famous ambassador in this field. Greece is not alone in its concerns. Egypt’s Nefertiti is being held in Germany, as is Turkey’s Pergamon Altar, and Ethiopia is demanding the Magdala Treasure back from the English.
Friends have now made my attention to the very special video clip by Ares Kalogeropoulos on this topic. Great music and German text with Greek translation! I definitely don’t want to keep it from you!
Music Production by Ares Kalogeropoulos (inhouse music.de)
German Lyrics and Vocals by Nicole Kroupis (Madame Ach’So)
The original video of the “Voluntary Movement for Greek Antiquities” can be found here. “I am Greek and I want to go home” from The Independent voluntary movement for the Greek antiquities
P.S. The remaining five Koren were replaced with replicas at the end of the 20th century to prevent further damage from the weather. The originals are in the new Acropolis Museum and my absolute favorite statues are in the new museum. Their flowing hair, their incredible hairstyles, their light-looking robes, a masterpiece of sculpture, definitely worth a visit!
Read more about the new Acropolis Museum and also take the virtual tour of the Acropolis: