On Tuesday, the Deputy Minister of Culture, Clea Papaellina, on Tuesday during her opening remarks at a joint academic workshop on archaeology organized by the National Centre for Archaeology (NACA) and the Cyprus Institute (CyI), at the Cyprus Institute in Nicosia.
Ms. Papaellina noted that “the regular exchange of professionals and academics in the fields of archaeology and cultural heritage management provides valuable opportunities not only for the exchange of expertise and the development of academic thought, but also for strengthening the understanding of the shared values that bind our two countries.”
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
The Republic of Cyprus, through the Department of Antiquities—which is the competent authority for the protection, preservation, and promotion of Cyprus’s archaeological heritage— has a long history of bilateral cooperation with the People’s Republic of China, he noted, adding that in 2014 the two countries signed an agreement on the “Prevention of Theft, Illegal Excavation, and Illegal Import and Export of Cultural Property,” which remains in force to this day. “This agreement provided an important framework for our cooperation in safeguarding our archaeological heritage,” he added.
“Within the framework of this cooperation, several exchanges took place between professionals and institutions from our two countries, further strengthening our shared commitment to the protection of cultural heritage,” said the Deputy Minister of Culture. “A particularly important milestone was the official visit to Cyprus by the Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism and the Director-General of the National Cultural Heritage Administration of China, in May 2023,” she added.
“As a result of this visit, preparations are underway to sign a memorandum of understanding on the exchange of expertise in the field of fresco conservation,” said Ms. Papaellina, emphasizing that “this is a particularly significant development, as it opens new avenues for the exchange of knowledge, experiences, and best practices for the preservation of our shared cultural heritage.”
At the same time, she recalled that in 2015 a temporary exhibition was held at the Limassol District Archaeological Museum, co-organized with the Arts Exhibition of China. The exhibition was titled “The Qin-Han Dynasties of China and Roman Cyprus: Aspects of Life in Two Distant Worlds.”
“Such initiatives demonstrate that archaeology is not merely about studying the past. It is also a means of bringing people and cultures together,” noted the Deputy Minister of Culture, adding that “through the study, preservation, and presentation of our cultural heritage, we can better understand one another and build bridges of communication between our societies.”
At the same time, she congratulated Dr. Stavros Malas and the entire team at the Cyprus Institute for their tireless work and significant contribution to highlighting Cyprus’s archaeological heritage. “Through their efforts, they highlight the remarkable work being done today in Cyprus in the fields of cultural heritage protection and archaeology, while also contributing to the development of new and innovative approaches to the study and preservation of our past,” he added.
“Ancient civilizations may belong to the past, but the knowledge, values, and cultural connections they have left us continue to shape our future,” emphasized Klea Papaellina.
