8 Cyclists Embark on 3,500 km Ride Advocating the Return of Parthenon Sculptures

For the second consecutive year, a dedicated group of 8 cyclists initiated a momentous journey from the British Museum to the Acropolis Museum, carrying a profound message: the restitution of the Parthenon Sculptures to their rightful home.

The strenuous cycling odyssey, aptly named ‘London-Athens on 2 Wheels – Bring Them Back’, symbolizes their unwavering commitment to this cause.

On the morning of Saturday, August 5th, the eight international cyclists commenced their expedition from the gates of the British Museum, commencing at the early hour of 5 am. Their destination: the Acropolis Museum. Hailing from diverse corners of the world, these cyclists will traverse a daunting distance of 3,500 km while championing the message ‘London-Athens on 2 Wheels – Bring them back’.

As they traverse this remarkable journey, the cyclists will gather signatures that advocate for the sculptures’ repatriation. This year marks the second iteration of this cycling endeavour, following the successful inaugural ride that took 14 days to complete the London-Athens route.

Interestingly, the chosen route for the cycling challenge mirrors the metaphorical path the sculptures would need to travel to return to their native land, as articulated by the British Commission for the Return of the Parthenon Sculptures.

The inspiration for this noble cycling campaign, Vassiliki Voutzali, is a dedicated nurse who works in Athens.

The inauguration of this year’s cycling initiative from the British Museum was graced by the presence of esteemed members of the British Commission for the Reunification of the Parthenon Marbles: Dr Chris Stockdale, a solo cyclist in 2005, and Marlene Godwin. In 2005, Dr Stockdale, a retired GP from Solihull, embarked on a 3-week journey, cycling over three days to complete his arduous mission.

The roster of participants for the 2023 Parthenon Sculptures cycling campaign includes Vasiliki Voutzali (Greece), Stephen Streich (Germany-Greece), Christopher Ross Bennett (New Zealand), David Hitch (Australia), Paul Adelson (United Kingdom), Dionysis Kartsambas (Greece), Pierluigi Talamona (Italy), and Aristotelis Tsogas (Greece).