Locations
Phase 7
Support to Monuments of Great Importance for the Communities of Cyprus
| Status: | Ongoing |
| Duration: | 2019 - 2024 |
| Donors: | European Commission |
| Coverage: | Island-wide |
| Beneficiaries: | Turkish Cypriot Community and Greek Cypriot Community |
| Focus Area: | Governance and Peacebuilding |
| Partners: | Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage |
| See more information about the project on the transparency portal. | |
Project Summary:
The cultural heritage of Cyprus emanates from diverse and rich cultures and civilizations which have populated the island throughout history. It constitutes the common heritage of all Cypriots and of humanity regardless of its origin. Since 2010 the United Nations Development Programme and the European Commission have been assisting the bi-communal Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage (TCCH) to preserve the island’s cultural heritage.
This is the seventh phase of the “Support to cultural heritage monuments of great importance for Cyprus” programme, which aims to extend the support to the efforts of the TCCH thus contribute to the ongoing peace and confidence building process by bringing communities closer to their shared heritage through conservation and emergency safeguarding projects.
“The Cultural Heritage Technical Committee believes that it is the primary responsibility of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots to protect the endangered cultural heritage of the island, and that it is important for these monuments to be preserved, not only because they are important symbols for both Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots, as well as for humanity, but also because they have an intrinsic value of their own.” (Press statement of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage, 06 May 2009).
The Agreement of 21 March 2008 reached between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots under the auspices of the United Nations (UN), paved the way for the establishment of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage, dedicated to the recognition, promotion and protection of the rich and diverse cultural heritage of Cyprus. The Committee is supported in its work by an Advisory Board composed of archaeologists, architects, art historians and town planners from both communities. All its programmatic decisions are taken in line with the agreed principles and the task attributed to them by the two Leaders.
The Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage works to provide a mutually acceptable mechanism for the implementation of practical measures for the proper preservation, physical protection and restoration (including research, study and survey) of the cultural heritage of Cyprus. The Committee believes that the protection of cultural heritage is an integral part of the ongoing process of broadening areas of cooperation between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, which can most effectively be achieved through joint efforts. The protection of cultural heritage also stimulates sustainable development and mutual understanding.
An initial list of 40 sites in need of emergency care and conservation was approved by the Leaders. Additional monuments of great historical value or notable size have been added to this list. Particular attention was given to the archaeological importance of the monuments, reflecting their uniqueness, historical significance and role in society as well as their future educational role.
Objectives
To support the reconciliation process and to increase the trust between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities through the implementation of confidence building measures agreed by the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage (TCCH).
Preservation of Cypriot cultural heritage by supporting restoration and emergency measures for high importance monuments agreed by the Technical Committee on Culture in Cyprus.
Implementing Partners
Since 2010 the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has assisted the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage to preserve the cultural heritage of Cyprus.
UNDP directly implements and administers the Committee's conservation works and visibility efforts, hence creating a favourable environment for the non-political consideration of cultural heritage on both sides of the island.
Joint monitoring visits and regular meetings with the Advisory Board of the Technical Committee are facilitated by UNDP to encourage and ensure the direct involvement in each stage of the project cycle. The direct involvement of technical teams from both communities (architects, archaeologists, engineers etc.) act, in time, as team- and confidence-building measures, allowing for increased exchange of experiences and the setting of a positive example of successful collaboration between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.
Moreover, UNDP provides logistical and strategic support to the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage in its efforts to re-establish community links between villages and their former residents and encourage cross-community exchanges.
Results
Within Phase 7 of the project, the following cultural heritage sites located island-wide benefited from emergency measures and/or conservation projects and designs.
Conservation works for selected cultural heritage sites:
Emergency works conducted on:
Designs for conservation works for the following cultural heritage sites:
The following project designs are ongoing:
Community engagement events
As part of its continuous efforts for community engagement, a series of community engagement activities organised at the local level with relevant stakeholders and key partners, including former and current residents, local communities and civil society in order to exchange lessons learnt, experiences and share best practices in the protection, promotion and maintenance of cultural heritage. The series of community involvement visits were organised at the ongoing and completed project which aiming to promote a culture of ownership for our shared heritage, and to engage more people in the efforts for maintenance of the completed projects.
Educational events
Two educational events were organised with participation of approximately 200 students, researchers and educators from both communities. The events took place on 18 and 28 April 2022. These events were organized as part of the International Day of Monuments and Sites. Students, researchers and educators learnt about the work of the TCCH through a presentation and gained insight on the restoration and conservation projects through guided project site visits to Othello Tower/Citadel, Martinengo, St Mary of the Armenians, St Mary of Carmel, St Anne church and Tanners` mosque. The participants also had the chance to learn about the TCCH digital heritage project for the Othello Tower.
Heritage Youth Ambassadors initiative
UNDP utilized digital platforms in order to continue to provide opportunities for the Heritage Youth Ambassadors (HYA) to engage in activities and events of the TCCH. More specifically in order to continue with ongoing training and skills development in the protection and promotion of cultural heritage, on 29th April 2020, UNDP organized an online workshop with the participation of 23 HYA. The first half of the workshop included presentations on the status of the ongoing cultural heritage projects by members of the TCCH and UNDP in order to bring HYA up to speed with the latest developments in light of the lockdown restrictions in response to the covid 19 pandemic. In the second half of the workshop the HYAs were invited to share their ideas for engaging communities in the work of the TCCH both online and offline.
On December 2023, the study visit was organised with participation of 10 HYAs. The primary purpose of the study visit was to bring the Heritage Youth Ambassadors initiative of the TCCH to Brussels to familiarise the participants with the functioning of the EU and its policies and programmes in the field of Cultural Heritage.
Digital heritage project for Famagusta
The Digital Heritage project for Famagusta aims to enhance community engagement and raise awareness through digital tools. The case of the Othello Tower was selected as a pilot. This pilot project entailed a first phase of 3D documentation, immersive visualization, 360 demo video, game design and prototype of the “Othello Tower”.
Othello Tower 360o Virtual Tour through the use of 360° panoramic photography. The virtual tour was enhanced by ’interest points‘ which provide historical information (in text and audio) based on historical research conducted within the framework of this project.
Othello Tower multiplayer online game for middle school and high school students completed. The game design was developed based on historical research conducted within the framework of this project. cooperation between youth by all the island’s communities.
Each of the virtual tours include 10 interest points with historical information and audio narration. All virtual tours will be hosted in a joined online platform which will be designed and created within the following phases of the project.
