The European Union has given an additional €3 mln to support the work of the bicommunal Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage in Cyprus.
This was done through an agreement between the European Commission and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The European Union is the largest contributor to the work of the Committee with a total funding reaching €17.7 mln since 2012 through the Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community.
This contribution goes towards preserving the island’s cultural heritage.
Since 2012, the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage preserved, structurally supported, physically protected or restored 31 heritage sites islandwide, including Orthodox, Maronite and Armenian churches, mosques and minarets, fortifications, hammams, aqueducts and watermills.
Additionally, 23 sites have benefited from simple, non-structural, small-scale work such as interior and exterior site cleaning, removal of vegetation from roofs and walls, minor repairs, replacement of doors, fences and windows.
Conservation designs for future projects are ready for an additional 40 sites.
Kjartan Björnsson, head of the Cyprus Settlement Support Unit, said the work on cultural heritage was an inspiration for everybody working to preserve the common history and legacy of Cyprus, and an essential element of the efforts to promote a United Cyprus for the future.
“Saving the island’s cultural heritage is a matter for all those living in Cyprus. At the same time, it is a concern for international organizations, because it is a part of the global cultural heritage,” said Björnsson.
“The Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage taught us that as Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots we can be efficient when we cooperate, work and produce together", he added.
Ali Tuncay and Takis Hadjidemetriou, Representatives of the Technical Committee, welcomed the extra funding.
“In the past years, these initiatives have brought together thousands of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots demonstrating how cultural heritage can play a catalyst role in support of the ongoing peace and confidence building process,” said Tiziana Zennaro UNDP Senior Programme Manager.
“UNDP is a proud supporter of the work of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage through its long-standing partnership with the European Union and we are looking forward to continue supporting the work in the coming years,” she added.
Some of the money will go to new educational and community engagement activities bringing people from all communities of Cyprus together, to reconnect and appreciate their common heritage.
