A remarkable testament to international cooperation, the bicommunal technical committee on cultural heritage has diligently completed an extensive portfolio of projects. This ambitious initiative has successfully preserved more than 180 sites of significant historical importance across Cyprus. Established in 2008, the committee has since received over €45 million in funding, enabling it to orchestrate a diverse range of restoration, urgent intervention, conservation, and survey efforts. These actions underscore a deep commitment to safeguarding the island's multifaceted historical legacy.
The committee’s operation, intentionally designed to foster reconciliation, adheres to a principle of equitable distribution. This ensures that the rich historical legacies of Turkish Cypriot, Greek Cypriot, and other communities are equally represented. This balanced approach is clearly demonstrated through its ongoing and planned projects. For instance, conservation work is scheduled to commence by 2026 on mosques located in the villages of Koilani and Ayios Thomas within the Limassol district. Simultaneously, tenders are being prepared for the vital restoration of an additional ten mosques, strategically divided between the Paphos and Larnaca districts, with five designated for each region.
Beyond the preservation of religious sites, the committee’s mandate encompasses a broad spectrum of historical structures. Restoration work is currently underway at the Panayia Apsinthonissa monastery, situated between the Kyrenia district villages of Sychari and Vouno. Significant progress is also being made at the renowned Apostolos Andreas monastery near Rizokarpaso. Looking ahead, five restoration projects targeting religious buildings within the Kyrenia district are anticipated to commence before the end of the current year.
The scope of their endeavours extends beyond ecclesiastical sites. Plans are actively in motion to revitalise a historic stone house in the Famagusta district village of Limnia. Furthermore, efforts will be made to fortify the Diamante bastion, a crucial component of Famagusta’s formidable Venetian city walls, and to restore the intricate historic aqueducts of Lefka. This comprehensive strategy, as articulated by Ali Tuncay, the Turkish Cypriot co-chairman of the committee, exemplifies a holistic vision for heritage management. "We have made significant progress since the committee’s establishment," Tuncay stated, reflecting on the extensive body of work completed on over 180 cultural heritage sites.
The substantial financial backing for these extensive operations has primarily come from the European Union, which has provided €35 million since 2010. Additional funding has been channelled through the foundations administration (Evkaf), the Greek Orthodox Church, and various other organisations, reflecting a broad coalition of support. This collaborative funding model mirrors the committee's operational ethos. "We maintain a balance between both sides," Tuncay emphasised, highlighting that religious sites, baths, fountains, water mills, castle walls, archaeological sites, and cemeteries on both sides of Cyprus are considered holistically.
The impact of the committee's sustained efforts extends beyond mere physical restoration. By treating the island's diverse cultural heritage as an indivisible entity, this project serves as a potent catalyst for building trust and mutual understanding between the two communities. The meticulous preservation of shared historical assets offers a tangible pathway towards acknowledging and celebrating a common past, thereby laying the groundwork for a more unified future.