Press Releases

“Heritage for generations”

Following a proposal by ICOMOS, the 18th April as of 1983, was designated by UNESCO as the International Day for Monuments and Sites. The day is celebrated each year with events that aim to make the public aware of their cultural heritage. Citizens are encouraged through various events and other activities, to learn about and appreciate their heritage.

In this framework, a different topic is promoted on a yearly basis under which all events are centered around. This year’s theme is “Heritage for Generations”, which focuses on the transfer of knowledge between generations as a crucial step in cultural development. Inter-generational transfer of knowledge, combining the knowledge of experienced practitioners with the energy and dynamism of newer members provides for a more holistic approach.

The Department of Antiquities, Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works, announces that on the occasion of the International Day for Monuments and Sites, entry to the following archaeological sites and ancient monuments on 18 April 2018 will be free of charge.

1. Archaeological site of Nea Pafos (Mosaics), Kato Pafos
2. Necropolis of Nea Pafos known as “The Tombs of the Kings”, Kato Pafos
3. Pafos Castle, Kato Pafos
4. Archaeological site of Palaepafos, Kouklia
5. Archaeological site of Agios Georgios, Pegia
6. Archaeological site of Kourion, Episkopi
7. Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates, Episkopi
8. Medieval Castle of Kolossi, Kolossi
9. Archaeological site of Amathus, Agios Tychon

10. Archaeological site of Kition, Larnaka

11. Neolithic site, Choirokoitia

12. Archaeological site at the location Tenta, Kalavasos

13. “Royal Chapel” of Agia Aikaterini, Pyrga

14. Archaeological site and royal tombs of Ancient Tamassos, Politiko

On the occasion of the celebration of the International Day of Monuments and Sites the following events will take place, for the programme click here:

 1.    Photographic exhibition titled “Amathus 1975-2015: The life of a French archaeological expedition in Cyprus»

Wednesday, 4 April 2018

Archaeological site of Amathus.

The exhibition was organized by the French School in Athens and was initially presented at the School on the occasion of an international conference on the city-kingdoms of Cyprus and also to mark the 40th anniversary of the beginning of excavations at Amathus. It was also presented in 2015 at the Cyprus Museum, aiming to inform the Cypriot public, not only about the activities of the archaeological mission but also about the discoveries and the history of one of the most important kingdoms of Cyprus. The exhibition will be now presented at the archaeological site itself.

2. Visual Arts activities by Nicolas Panagi Arts Workshop «Earth Art»

13 April 2018, 9:00-13:00

Archaeological site of Kato Pafos.

Programme titled “Endless Horizons belong to those who have endless imagination”. In this framework, the members of the art workshop will visit the archaeological site, the harbour of Kato Pafos and Akamas peninsula, to search, study and understand the art and culture of the sites. Drawing inspiration from the archaeological site, the monuments, the cultural and natural landscape, they will create art.

           3.    Conference BRAU4 titled «The Hidden Cultural Heritage: Under water, Under Ground and Within Buildings”

Sunday, 15 April 2018, 19:00 – Opening ceremony

Monday-Tuesday, 16-17 April 2018, 9:00-17:15 – Conference and exhibition

Famagusta Gate, Nicosia

The exhibition and conference are co-organised by the Cyprus Section of ICOMOS, the Department of Antiquities and other institutions, on the occasion of the Biennial of Architectural and Urban Restoration (BRAU4).  The aim is to develop dialogue between society, scientists and heritage specialists through varied actions, targeted to promote the local tangible and intangible heritage of participating countries. The exhibition is being presented simultaneously at all participating countries/cities, together with many other cultural events.

The event is dedicated to the memory of the Civil Engineer Rea Tassiou. Emeritus Professor of Engineering of the National Technical University of Athens Theodosios Tassios will attend.  

The exhibition will remain open to the public until the 27^th of April (closed Saturday and Sunday 21^st and 22^nd of April).

 4.    Guided tour of the Larnaka seafront “Discover Larnaka Open Tour”

Sunday 15 April 2018, 10:00 - 12:00

1. πιενάλε Αρχιτεκτονικής και Αστικής Αποκατάστασης, BRAU4
2. (Biennale  del  Restauro  Architeonico  &  Urbano/Biennial  of
3. Urban and Architectural Restoraon, BRAU4)
4. Αγαπητέ και έντιμε κύριε Υπουργέ,
5. Με την επιστολή αυτή σας ενημερώνουμε ότι το ICOMOS – Τμήμα Κύπρου, έχει αναλάβει
6. την   οργάνωση   της   Κυπριακής   συμμετοχής   στην  BRAU4,   στα   πλαίσια   της   οποίας   θα
7. πραγματοποιηθεί έκθεση από 15 έως 30 Απριλίου στην Πύλη Αμμοχώστου και στις 15/04/2018
8. θα διεξαχθεί διήμερο συνέδριο με θέμα «Η Κρυμμένη Πολιτιστική Κληρονομιά: Κάτω από την
9. Θάλασσα, Κάτω από την Γη και εντός των Κτηρίων»

Guided tour of the Larnaka seafront with references to its historic past, focusing mainly on Athinon Avenue and Zinonos Kitieos Street. The tour will be conducted Mr Iosif Hadjikyriakos Director of the Phivos Stavrides Foundation – Larnaka Archives, Mr Louis Perentos, Dr. Anna Satraki, Archeological Officer of the Department of Antiquities and Mr Peter Ashdjian, Director of the Pierides Foundation.

5.    Voluntary blood donation by the personnel of the Department of Antiquities

Wednesday 18 April 2018, 10:00-12:00

Visitors centre of the archaeological site of Kato Pafos.

The Department of Antiquities in collaboration with the Blood Bank of Pafos General Hospital organizes a voluntary blood donation. Blood donation is an act of love and proof of social sensitivity. The contribution of volunteer donors is above all an act of life for our suffering fellowman. According to the World Health Organisation, volunteer blood donors are the safest class of blood donors, reducing the chance of transmission of diseases through blood from 7.5% to 0.001%. The need for blood is high in our country, as the increased rate of accidents, as well as thalassemia, places us in countries with high blood donation needs.

 6.    Opening ceremony for the European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018

Thursday 19 April 2018, 19:00-20:00

Kasteliotissa mediaeval hall, Nicosia

A short music concert will take place by the Music Ensemble of the Nicosia Music Gymnasium, excerpts taken from the top three award winning articles of the 2^nd European Contest for the Production of Written Speech for the Second Year of Lyceum will be read and the awards for the Photographic Contest “Culture Snap” will be given.   

The event is held under the auspices of the Minister of Education and Culture Mr Kostas Champiaouris and the Minister of Transport, Communications and Works, Mrs Vasiliki Anastasiadou, with the collaboration of the Representation of the European Commision in Cyprus and with the participation of Mrs Themis Christophidou, Director General of the Directorate General of Education, Youth, Sport and Culture. 

7. Opening ceremony for the photographic exhibition titled “MEDitations”

Saturday 21 April 2018, ώρα 18:00

Limassol Castle

The exhibition is organized in collaboration with the famed international organization MAGNUM PHOTOS, through BPRarts Cultural Management. It is aimed at demonstrating the relation between famous photographers with ancient monuments and sites throughout Europe, including Cyprus. Works by Josef Koudelka, George Rodger, Nikos Economopoulos, David Seymour, Ferdinando Scianna, Herbert List, Elliot Erwitt, Inge Morath and Micha Bar Am will be featured, which will be accompanied by excerpts of poems from distinguished poets, philosophers and authors.   

A reception in the courtyard of the Castle will follow. The event is held under the auspices of the Minister of Transport, Communications and Works, Mrs Vasiliki Anastasiadou.

The exhibition will be open to the public until the 14^th of May. It will then travel to the Cyprus Museum (18 May - 17 June), to Larnaka Castle (21 June-22 July) and to the archaeological site of Kato Pafos (26 July – 30 August).

 8.    Event titled “The archaeological site of Kato Pafos: the coexistence of the archaeological remains with the natural environment”

Wednesday, 25 April 2018, 9.20 -10.30

Ceremony hall of the Archbishop Makarios III Lyceum of Pafos

The event is focusing on the development of heritage research within the student community, through contacts with their city’s monuments and information on their conservation, as well as raising awareness on issues of coexistence and protection of the environment and archaeological monuments and sites.    

The event includes addresses by the Principle of the School and the Director of the Department of Antiquities, who will focus on Pafos archaeological site, which besides being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is also included in a NATURA network. Presentations from Officers of the Department of Antiquities will be centered on the historic and archaeological importance of the site, as well as conservation, preservation and presentation issues. Discussion with the students will follow.

9.    Opening ceremony for the photographic exhibition «Akamas: Nature, Myth, Man» and lecture by Professor Michael Skoullos titled “Akamas: Nature, Myth, Man. Biosphere reserves, a comprehensive proposal by UNESCO”.

Thursday, 3 May 2018, 18:00

Visitors centre of the archaeological site of Kato Pafos and Pafos Castle.

The exhibition, which was first presented at Famagusta Gate in Nicosia in October 2017, is organized by the Department of Antiquities and the Cyprus Section of ICOMOS. The exhibition focuses on the presentation of the two major components of the Akamas peninsula: Nature and Man. The exhibition aspires to be a conversation starter for the present and future of this natural and cultural treasure that we have inherited, in the hope of contributing to the protection and management policies under discussion for the peninsula and to assist in the implementation of a sustainable development strategy for the area.    

The lecture of Professor Michael Skoullos, president of the Greek National Committee for UNESCO/MAB (Man and the Biosphere Programme) is aimed at presenting the UNESCO programme on biosphere reserves in relation to man, nature protection and sustainable development.

The event is held under the auspices of the Minister of Transport, Communications and Works Mrs Vasiliki Anastasiadou.

(AH)