MANNIN/ISLE OF MAN: CHRONICLES - DON'T BE DEFEATIST MANX GOVERNMENT URGED
The Celtic League have urged the Isle of Man government to continue to press the United Kingdom to restore the Chronicles of Man and the Isles for permanent exhibition at the Manx Museum.
Earlier this year the Manx government indicated that an approach to the UK had been rebuffed and that they were abandoning efforts to seek the Chronicles return.
The League have said that this attitude is defeatist and cited the example of the transfer of the Icelandic manuscripts from Denmark to Iceland in much more difficult circumstances as an example the two governments should look to.
"The Isle of Man Chief Minister Mr Tony Brown MHK Government Offices Douglas Isle of Man 12/10/08
Dear Chief Minister,
It was extremely disappointing to hear media reports that indicated that the attempt by the Isle of Man government to seek the return of the Chronicles of Man and the Isles had proved fruitless.
It was equally disappointing to hear that the Isle of Man government is to abandon efforts to recover the Chronicles.
It clearly was the wish of Tynwald that the matter should be pursued and as has been made clear over the years the Chronicles would be of more relevance as a live exhibit in the Manx Museum rather than gathering dust in a drawer at the British Library.
The ownership issue, I know, has been the subject of some discussion but I think you will see from the example I enclose of a similar manuscript restitution (that of the Manuscripts from Denmark to Iceland) that when there is goodwill on the part of both sides even difficulties surrounding the provenance of the item can be overcome. Indeed, what is so intriguing about the Danish/Icelandic example is that ownership was very clearly vested with Denmark and yet the document was effectively gifted to Iceland because of the close bond between the two peoples. This generous move prompted a senior Icelandic academic to observe;
"The Icelandic people realize that the Danish people have shown them such consideration as is rarely found in international circles"
It is often suggested that there is a similar close bond between the people of the Isle of Man and those in the United Kingdom. In the circumstances therefore it would surely be appropriate for the Manx government to remind the UK of the 'Icelandic Manuscripts' issue as an example of how 'friendly governments' behave towards one another.
I do hope the Manx government will review its somewhat defeatist stance on this issue and continue to press the United Kingdom and the British Library vigorously on this matter.
For information the enclosed document can be found on the web at:
Yours sincerely,
J B Moffatt Director of Information"
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J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League
12/10/08
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