"Our goal is a culture that is open to everyone," said the new Deputy Minister of Culture, Klea Hatzistefanou Papaellina, during the ceremony to take over the portfolio from the outgoing Deputy Minister of Culture, Vasiliki Kassianidou, on Thursday at noon at the Deputy Ministry of Culture.
For her part, Ms. Kassianidou expressed her appreciation and gratitude to all members of the Cabinet for their close cooperation and wished the new Deputy Minister of Culture every success, presenting her with a book detailing the Deputy Ministry’s activities, which, as she noted, had been published recently.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
Ms. Papaellina, expressing her warm thanks to the President of the Republic for the trust he has placed in her, noted that “culture is the foundation of our country’s identity, history, and creative vision, and it is a special honor to be called upon to serve this vital sector.”
At the same time, she warmly thanked the outgoing Deputy Minister, Vasiliki Kassianidou, for her contribution, dedication, and the work she accomplished during her tenure. “Every effort that strengthens culture, supports creative individuals, and highlights our cultural heritage constitutes a valuable legacy for the future,” he emphasized.
“This transition builds on what has already been accomplished. It marks the continuation of a collective effort so that, with vision, consistency, and cooperation, we can achieve results,” said the new Deputy Minister of Culture.
“Culture is the expression of a people’s soul, the bridge that connects the past with the present and the future, the force that fosters creativity, dialogue, and the cohesion of our society,” she emphasized. “Above all, it is our identity—what defines us today and shapes us tomorrow,” she added.
Ms. Papaellina emphasized that “our goal is a culture open to all, a culture that embraces every creator, supports artistic expression, showcases our cultural heritage, and creates opportunities for new generations to express themselves, create, and actively participate.”
“Culture serves as a force for openness, social cohesion, and development, promoting our country internationally,” he said, noting that “the protection and promotion of Cyprus’s culture, both at home and abroad, is part of the struggle for our homeland’s national survival.”
Noting that the success of this effort requires collaboration, the new Deputy Minister of Culture called on all creators, artists, cultural organizations, local government, the academic community, and every entity that serves culture, “to work together in a spirit of trust and with a shared vision.”
Referring to the officials and staff of the Deputy Ministry of Culture, she emphasized that “their experience, knowledge, and dedication are a valuable asset.” “My priority is for us to work closely together, to make the most of their potential, and to create the conditions for even more meaningful work,” she added.
“I look forward to a productive and close collaboration with the General Director, George Papageorgiou, whose valuable knowledge and experience will help us turn this plan into reality,” she said.
At the same time, Klea Hatzistefanou Papaellina pledged to serve this mission with responsibility, transparency, diligence, and respect for everyone.
She also expressed her confidence that “through collective effort, we can further strengthen the role of culture in our society and create the conditions for Cyprus’s cultural output to continue to inspire, evolve, and stand out.”
For her part, the outgoing Deputy Minister of Culture, Vasiliki Kassianidou, expressed her heartfelt thanks to the President of the Republic of Cyprus for his trust, as well as to her colleagues and the staff of the Deputy Ministry. “Everything we have achieved over these past three years was the result of a collective effort and a shared belief that culture deserves to be at the heart of public policy,” she noted.
“When I assumed my duties in the summer of 2023, I took over a newly established Deputy Ministry that was still in the process of being organized and lacked a comprehensive strategic direction,” he noted. “Today, three years later, I believe that the Deputy Ministry of Culture now has stronger structures, a clear strategy, and concrete prospects for the future,” he added.
“Our top priority was to establish the necessary administrative structures and formulate a coherent cultural policy with clear objectives. That is, to support contemporary creativity and the creators themselves, to showcase their work to a wider audience, to protect and promote our cultural heritage, strengthening cultural education, and promoting Cyprus internationally,” Ms. Kassianidou emphasized.
“We opened up the Deputy Ministry so that everyone can express their opinions and ideas. Despite our limited budget, we have expanded our grant programs and established new ways to support artists and cultural organizations,” she said.
He also noted that the construction of the new Cyprus Archaeological Museum, the upgrading of infrastructure at major archaeological sites, the modernization of archaeological museums, the upgrading of the Cyprus Handicrafts Service, and the launch of construction on a building for the National Archives “are projects that will serve the country for many decades, preserving historical memory, strengthening research, and creating new opportunities for development.”
“Also significant were the repatriation of hundreds of antiquities and our international collaborations to combat the illicit trafficking of cultural property. Such actions take on greater significance for our country, whose cultural heritage has been plundered since the Turkish invasion,” he emphasized.
“Through the ‘Schools as Ambassadors of Culture – Children as Ambassadors of Culture’ program,” we sought to build a new relationship between children and culture and artistic creation, and to demonstrate that cultural education can shape active citizens with a deeper understanding of their local history,” she noted.
At the same time, Vasiliki Kassianidou emphasized that culture “is the most powerful form of international diplomacy available to a small country” and “our best defense.” To that end, she continued, “we took advantage of Cyprus’s recently concluded Presidency of the Council of the European Union to showcase our ancient and modern culture internationally, through initiatives that left a strong impression and strengthened our country’s presence in the European arena.”
In the context of the European Union presidency, he noted, “Cyprus’s contribution to the development of the new Agora EU program and the ‘Europe for Culture – Culture for Europe’ confirmed that even a small country can substantially influence European policies when it has a plan, consistency, and credibility.”
“These are significant achievements, as for the first time, culture is recognized through these programs as a priority in European Union policies. Cyprus did not limit itself to the role of an observer but actively contributed to shaping this new European perspective,” emphasized the outgoing Deputy Minister of Culture.
Referring to the bill on the Status of Artists, she said that it is now at an advanced stage and expressed her hope that it would be finalized soon, as well as the major infrastructure projects that have been launched during this period.
Vasiliki Kassianidou stated, further, that she is stepping down with the conviction that the Deputy Ministry of Culture has now attained institutional maturity, a clear direction, and international prestige and credibility. “Above all, however, it has acquired a clear mission: to serve culture not as a luxury, but as the foundation of democracy, social cohesion and solidarity, education, and development,” she noted, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to serve this mission.
At the same time, she emphasized that “culture needs financial support, and it will be able to contribute even more to society if the budget of the Deputy Ministry of Culture is increased,” expressing her hope that this would happen soon.
In closing, she expressed her appreciation and gratitude to all members of the Cabinet for their close cooperation and wished the new Deputy Minister of Culture every success, expressing her confidence that her successor “will work hard to ensure that culture continues to hold the place it deserves in the Republic of Cyprus’s path toward development and integration into Europe.”
The Director General of the Deputy Ministry of Culture, George Papageorgiou, addressing the outgoing Deputy Minister of Culture, noted—among other things—that “together with my predecessor, Emmanouela Lambrianidou, to strengthen the organization, procedures, and institutional stability of the Deputy Ministry.”
Addressing the new Deputy Minister, Mr. Papageorgiou expressed his confidence that “with the same zeal with which you have worked in various positions focused on people, you will embrace and support efforts to promote culture in our country.”
Source: CNA
