Merged culture and tourism ministry faces marbles issue

Greece’s Culture and Tourism Minister Pavlos Geroulanos said on 27 October that his top priority would be to organize the newly merged ministry of culture and tourism and the solutions that need to be given to lingering problems, while clarifying that he is the only one responsible for the culture sector, news agencies reported. On the strategy being followed for the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece, Geroulanos stressed that the efforts will continue. He also noted that the British Museum appeared to be concerned, since it had taken the trouble to distribute leaflets giving its positions called why the Marbles must stay (at the British Museum). Melina Mercouri (the late PASOK culture minister) was the one to first raise the issue and we continue the efforts, he said. The minister underlined that the state-run media should play a leading role in the promotion of culture issues. Geroulanos told reporters that the candidates for the post of the ministry general secretary have been narrowed down to four based on the CVs submitted online. On the issue of the Thessaloniki Film Festival and the state awards, Geroulanos urged people in the film industry to recommend the right solutions. He also stated that the portfolio of Deputy Minister Angeliki Gerekou has not been defined yet.