Work on bicommunal projects continues in Cyprus

Despite the extraordinary circumstances, common projects between Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities are still being developed

The coronavirus pandemic put a stop to many projects that have been long in the making and planning stages across the whole of Europe. But thanks to the advantages of modern technology, not all kinds of work has ceased.

Continuing important and vital work on common heritage

In Cyprus, where the two communities of Greek and Turkish Cypriots have been emphasizing bicommunal projects meant to bring them closer together, construction work has been halted since a state of emergency was proclaimed a couple of months ago. That, however, has not stopped the representatives of those two communities from continuing their planning and project submission work via teleconference and at a safe distance, thus respecting lockdown and social distancing measures.

Members of the bicommunal Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage have been meeting regularly online in order to discuss, review and plan their future projects as well as to work on documents and submit bids and tenders for funding and approval.

Despite the fact that actual work on renovating heritage sites has ceased, the Committee is making good progress on applying for as many projects as possible under different funding programmes, while also doing their best for their current initiatives.

Projects in the pipeline

Currently, the Committee has a number of projects ready to go or resume once restrictions are lifted. They include continuing the restoration of the Apostolos Andreas monastery, resuming work on the Sourp Magar Armenian Monastery, the church of St. George and St. James in the buffer zone of Nicosia, the renovation of the churches of St. Sergius and Bacchus, as well as the conservation and upgrades of 8 additional churches, 8 mosques, 2 cemeteries and  7 fountains, most dating back to the Ottoman era.

Thanks to the efforts of the Committee, Greek and Turkish Cypriots have continued working together in improving their shared heritage, despite these extraordinary circumstances, thus bringing them closer together.