A good museum helps bring the past to life. That mission is what makes the Parthenon Gallery in Greece's Acropolis Museum so famous. The almost 2,500-year-old sculptures it displays on the top floor are among the greatest achievements of world art. They wrap around the gallery in the same sequence that used to adorn the Parthenon, an ancient Greek temple that stands 900 feet away from the museum. They depict a festival in honour of the goddess Athena.
But they are incomplete. Half the sculptures are in Britain, something the room poignantly reminds visitors by filling vacant slots with bright white plaster replicas. They are absent because about 200 years ago British nobleman Lord Elgin hewed them from their original structure. The story that the Parthenon Gallery tells, therefore, is not just about the brilliance of the Ancient Greeks, but also the far newer controversy over the stealing of cultural heritage.
Just a few years before the marbles were taken, Egypt lost the Rosetta Stone, a crucial part of its heritage, in similar circumstances. It dates from 200 BC and contains a message written in hieroglyphic, with translations in Ancient Greek and demotic. This allowed scholars to finally read hieroglyphics.
It was found in the the northern city of Rashid, or Rosetta, by French soldiers during the Napoleonic Wars. In 1801, it eventually ended up in British hands following France's defeat. It now sits in the British Museum.
Campaigns to get both back to their countries of origin seem to be gaining momentum in 2022. In Egypt's case, archaeologist Zahi Hawass, sometimes referred to as the "Egyptian Indiana Jones", is launching a new push.
Dr Hawass and his colleagues cite what appears to be changing public opinion in western countries that hold these pieces. In July, Germany handed over two Benin bronzes to Nigeria, as well as more than 1,000 items from its museums. The bronzes are some of the most famous examples of African art. At the signing of a restitution agreement, Nigeria's culture minister, Lai Mohammed, said the moment was "one of the most important days in the history of celebrating African heritage". In the UK, the Horniman Museum in London said it would return 72 objects to Nigeria that were looted in 1897.
It is indeed a great win for Nigeria. Hopefully Egypt gets a similar one.
For its part, the British Museum says it is approaching the situation by investing in making the Rosetta Stone as accessible as possible by publishing a 3D scan online, continuing to work with Egyptian experts and organising a new exhibition on the country's heritage.
Dr Hawass is not convinced. He says that even if he fails in his lifetime, his colleagues will carry on: “This is a case that you cannot stop.”
His determination reflects the drive of many campaigners across the globe. They do not operate in ancient tombs, but offices. Nonetheless, from Nigeria to Egypt, they are the modern-day Indiana Jones, and they are winning the argument.
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The more serious side of specialty coffee
While the taste of beans and freshness of roast is paramount to the specialty coffee scene, so is sustainability and workers’ rights.
The bulk of genuine specialty coffee companies aim to improve on these elements in every stage of production via direct relationships with farmers. For instance, Mokha 1450 on Al Wasl Road strives to work predominantly with women-owned and -operated coffee organisations, including female farmers in the Sabree mountains of Yemen.
Because, as the boutique’s owner, Garfield Kerr, points out: “women represent over 90 per cent of the coffee value chain, but are woefully underrepresented in less than 10 per cent of ownership and management throughout the global coffee industry.”
One of the UAE’s largest suppliers of green (meaning not-yet-roasted) beans, Raw Coffee, is a founding member of the Partnership of Gender Equity, which aims to empower female coffee farmers and harvesters.
Also, globally, many companies have found the perfect way to recycle old coffee grounds: they create the perfect fertile soil in which to grow mushrooms.
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Favourite vegetable: “I really like the taste of the beetroot, the potatoes and the eggplant we are producing.”
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Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
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If you had all the money in the world, what’s the one sneaker you would buy or create?
“There are a few shoes that have ‘grail’ status for me. But the one I have always wanted is the Nike x Patta x Parra Air Max 1 - Cherrywood. To get a pair in my size brand new is would cost me between Dh8,000 and Dh 10,000.” Jack Brett
“If I had all the money, I would approach Nike and ask them to do my own Air Force 1, that’s one of my dreams.” Yaseen Benchouche
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“If I had all the money in the world, I’d live somewhere where I’d never have to wear shoes again.” Raj Malhotra
