For the first time, the Press and Information Office, from July 13 to 18.

According to a press release from the Press and Information Office, the delegation included students who had distinguished themselves in courses offered by the newly established Chair of Cypriot Studies at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, taught by Dr. Charalambos Alexandrou.

The Chair is based at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki’s School of Law and is the first of its kind in Greece, with the aim of promoting the study of history, culture, law, and the Cyprus issue.

The mission took place as part of the General Secretariat for Public Information’s efforts to raise awareness about the Cyprus issue and highlight the history, culture, and contemporary reality of the Republic of Cyprus. It also follows up on the visit by Minister of the Interior Konstantinos Ioannou and GTP Director Aliki Stylianou to Thessaloniki last March.

During their stay in Cyprus, the students visited the Tomb of the Macedonite Woman, the Imprisoned Tombs, Ledra Palace, the buffer zone, and areas along the ceasefire line within the walls of Nicosia.

They also visited the enclosed city of Famagusta and the Liopetri Barn and learned about the EOKA national liberation struggle of 1955–1959, the Turkish invasion, and the ongoing occupation.

The program also included visits to the Neolithic settlement of Choirokoitia, Lefkara, the Cyprus and Byzantine Museum, the Machaira Monastery, the hideout of Grigoris Afxentiou, and the EOKA Museum in Kyperounta.

Participants also visited the studio of painter Andreas Charalambous, the Church of St. Nicholas in Stegi, the Modestos Pantelis Cultural Foundation, and the “Thalassa” Museum in Ayia Napa.

At the University of Cyprus, they were given a tour of the campus and the Information Center – “Stelios Ioannou” Library and were briefed on the University’s academic programs and research activities.

They also visited the Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation’s exhibition “Cyprus: Island – Memory – Memory – Reality” and the GTP’s exhibitions “Medieval Nicosia” and “From Press to Present.”

The GTP notes that such activities enhance young people’s knowledge of the history, culture, and the contemporary reality of Cyprus and help further strengthen the ties between Cyprus and Greece.

Source: CNA