The National Hellenic Museum Presents:

The Trial of the Parthenon Marbles

Thursday, March 16, 2017, 6:30pm
Art Institute of Chicago | Rubloff Auditorium

THE CASE

Following the extraordinary success of the Trials of Socrates, Orestes, and Antigone, presented by the National Hellenic Museum, nationally renowned judges and attorneys take on another case with ancient roots and modern consequences: The Trial of the Parthenon Marbles.

The Parthenon Marbles are a collection of Classical Greek sculptures, inscriptions, and architectural pieces (originally forming much of the exterior decoration of the Parthenon) that were removed and taken from the Acropolis and out of Greece. The Ottoman governor of Greece allegedly permitted Ambassador Lord Elgin to ship the Parthenon Marbles from Athens to London in the early 1800s. Sometimes referred to as the “Elgin Marbles,” they have been on display at the British Museum for nearly 200 years. Since obtaining independence from the Ottoman Empire, Greece has pressed the United Kingdom for the Marbles’ return, a request that has been refused on the grounds that ownership was properly acquired. The case of the Parthenon Marbles presents contemporary issues of cultural appropriation versus the British Museum’s good faith ownership of these artifacts consistent with legal principles. In 2017, the National Hellenic Museum brings back the all-star team of judges and attorneys from previous years for another case from the annals of Greek history. Additionally the bench will also feature Justice Anne Burke from the Illinois Supreme Court and Circuit Judge Anna Demacopoulos. In a special feature this year, trial attorneys Sam Adams Jr. and Tinos Diamantatos will cross-examine witnesses testifying for the Greek and British sides of the case.

JUDGES

Hon. Anne M. Burke
Hon. Richard A. Posner, Presiding
Hon. William J. Bauer
Hon. Charles P. Kocoras
Hon. Anna H. Demacopoulos

COUNSEL
Sam Adam Jr. (Sam Adam Jr. Law Group)
Robert A. Clifford (Clifford Law Offices)
Patrick M. Collins (Perkins Coie)
Tinos Diamantatos (Morgan Lewis)
Patrick J. Fitzgerald (Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP)
Dan K. Webb (Winston & Strawn LLP)

Tickets: $100 Click here for complete details.