A number of projects are streamlined in 2024 for the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage. The Greek Cypriot co-chairman, Sotos Ktoris told CNA that for 2024 there is a specific plan for the conservation and preservation of monuments throughout Cyprus.

Specifically, restoration work as part of the second phase is scheduled to start at the Apostolos Andreas Monastery in the Turkish occupied Karpas peninsula. “Conservation work will be carried out at the medieval chapel located near the holy water spring and it is expected that there will be some work on the exterior of the monastery”, Ktoris said.

At the same time, it is expected that the procedures to carry out restoration work at Panagia Kanakaria in Lythragomi, Panagia of Lysi, Panagia of Makrasyka will proceed, as well as Ayios Prokopios in Sygkrasis, Agia Fotini in Agios Andronikos, St. John the Baptist in Argaki, as well as on St. George of the Latins in Famagusta and on the Bastion of Diamante in the Venetian Walls of Famagusta.

In addition, he said, maintenance work will also be carried out at the Touzla Mosque in Larnaca and the mosques in Avdimou, Alektora, Tochni, Kalavasos and Alaminos.

Asked about the cooperation with the Turkish Cypriot team, Ktoris told CNA that the cooperation between the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots who make up the technical committee is “excellent, it is the cornerstone of the effort made in order to save the monuments bequeathed to us by the history of this land”.

He added that the “agony and love shared by all those involved in this collective effort to save the monuments is a very basic requirement to be able to rescue monuments of our country, having the deep conviction that through the rescue of the monuments of our common cultural heritage, the very history of the country is rescued”.