Not long ago this beautiful museum was the site of a very rare musical event. Suddenly these artistic pieces that we see around us woke up to life again listening to the very fragile, heartbreaking tunes of the oldest of all musical instruments, a reconstruction of the old Hydraulics, a water organ from the time of Perikles. It was brought here for two unique concerts under the supervision of professor Vassilis Karasmanis and his team from the European Cultural Centre of Delphi in Greece. It was indeed a memorable performance to see this old instrument alive and to listen to its tunes, almost like the breathing of a human being! The organ needed two persons on order to sound: one to pump the water pressing the air in a reservoir into tunes and one to play the keyboard- then there was a third person that contributed with his voice, the most beautiful of all human instrument of all; the human voice, vox Humana.
But, perhaps someone asks, would it not have been enough with a recording of this water organ? We do today have such a perfect technique that if you turn down all the lights you could not by listening know if the music you hear is being created life or not. True. But the very fact that we actually saw and felt the presence of the water organ added a feeling of authenticity that could never be replaced by any virtual simulation. To see and listen to this marvellous reconstruction, also knowing that it with all its weight had been transported over the Alps all the way from Athens to Stockholm, gave an extra dimension to your listening. Here you were, in the Mediterranean Museum in Stockholm, and in front of you three persons were recalling the memories of Delphi some 2500 years ago! You could feel the time tickling in your veines!
Only people with no imagination would ask: was it worth bringing this heavy reconstruction all the way from Greece to Sweden for just two concerts? The answer is: That was the point! Because every second of our lives, especially when it comes to arts, is unique and in a way eternal. It will forever be a part of your heart and memory.
All of us have seen and been seduced by the beauty of Parthenon. It is impossible to imagine Athens without this temple over our heads. Where ever we live or where ever we are in that lively city, what ever we do or talk about - it is always there! Sometimes we might also protest against this domination of our minds. The eminent Swedish writer Willy Kyrklund suggested in one of his books that you could use the pillars of the temple to attach a string for drying your laundry!
The temple of Parthenon has become a symbol both of our past and of our future. Its geographical position is of course Athens but symbolically it is exists everywhere. That is why we can admire the sculptures in the British Museum in London or related creations even here in this museum. Art that reflects the Visions and dreams of mankind can never be owned by nations; they should always be protected by international law and agreements formed by international bodies like UNESCO.
History and fate gave the heritage and preservation of the marble sculptures of Parthenon to the British Museum. But this historic fact should not prevent the British authorities from realizing the fact that these sculptures belong to mankind. Therefore I think that I speak not only for myself and my colleagues of my umbrella organization KLYS - The Swedish Joint Committee for Literary and Artistic Professionals - when I appeal to our British friends to share this human richness with the origin country and with all the Olympic guests in Athens in 2004, admitting that this glorious masterpiece belongs to us all.
Bring the sculptures back!
Thank you for your attention!
Peter Curman
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Peter Curman, Svartensgatan 6, 116 20 Stockholm, SWEDEN
tel +46 8 702 91 68
www.svenskaparthenon.se