ATHENS: Greece’s culture minister on Monday slammed as “provocative” the British Museum’s first-ever fundraiser that had guests dining in a gallery hosting the Parthenon Marbles.
Saturday’s star-studded ball — seen as an answer to the Met Gala — drew the likes of Mick Jagger, Naomi Campbell, Janet Jackson and Kristin Scott Thomas, in addition to London Mayor Sadiq Khan and former prime minister Rishi Sunak.
“The safety, integrity, and ethics of the monuments should be the primary concern of the British Museum, which once again demonstrates provocative indifference,” Lina Mendoni said in a statement.
The ball was far cheaper than the Met Gala. Tickets were sold privately to around 800 people, costing £2,000 ($2,685) per head, compared to the whopping $75,000 price tag for a Met Gala pass.
“Repeatedly and consistently, the Ministry of Culture has condemned the dinners, receptions, and fashion shows organized in museum spaces where monuments and works of art are exhibited.”
