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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle
Helena Smith in Athens

Greece accuses British Museum of ‘provocative indifference’ over pink ball

Naomi Campbell attends the inaugural British Museum Ball on 18 October 18, 2025, in London.
Naomi Campbell attends the inaugural British Museum Ball in London. Photograph: Mike Marsland/WireImage

The British Museum has been accused of “provocative indifference” and “covering Greek culture in the shade of Barbie” by officials in Greece after it hosted a star-studded fundraising gala that included guests seated near the Parthenon marbles.

Days after Mick Jagger, Naomi Campbell, Alexa Chung, Miuccia Prada, Manolo Blahnik, Kristin Scott Thomas and dozens of other celebrities and billionaires paid £2,000 each to attend the museum’s inaugural pink ball, Greek officials were still incandescent over an event described as offensive by the country’s cultural minister.

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