**LIMASSOL, CYPRUS** – A significant stride in the ongoing endeavour to preserve the island's multifaceted cultural heritage has been marked by the commencement of conservation work on a mosque and an old schoolhouse in the Limassol district. The initiative, overseen by the bi-communal technical committee on cultural heritage, signifies a tangible step towards safeguarding historical sites that have borne witness to decades of community life and change.
Ali Tuncay, co-chairman of the bi-communal technical committee, confirmed on Saturday that the restoration efforts have begun at the aforementioned locations in Ayios Thomas, a village nestled between Avdimou and Anoyira in western Limassol. This particular site holds historical resonance, having been a predominantly Turkish Cypriot village that served as a reception centre for Turkish Cypriots displaced during the 1960s. Following the events of late 1974, the village's original inhabitants resettled in the north of the island, leaving behind a landscape now inhabited by a small number of Greek Cypriots who were themselves displaced from the north. The committee’s commitment, as articulated by Tuncay, is to ensure that its work remains “balanced between both sides” of the island, encompassing the rich cultural tapestry woven by Turkish Cypriot, Greek Cypriot, and other communities.
This latest undertaking is part of a broader, meticulously planned programme of restoration and conservation projects supported financially by the European Union and technically facilitated by the United Nations Development Programme. The scope of the committee's activities extends far beyond the immediate work in Ayios Thomas. Earlier this year, Tuncay had indicated that conservation efforts would also be initiated at a mosque in the Limassol village of Koilani. Furthermore, tenders are poised to be released for the meticulous restoration of ten additional mosques, with five earmarked for attention in the Paphos district and another five in the Larnaca district.
The restoration of religious and historical structures is a central tenet of the committee's mandate. Work is currently in progress at the Panayia Apsinthonissa monastery, situated between the Kyrenia district villages of Sychari and Vouno, and at the Apostolos Andreas monastery, located near Rizokarpaso. Looking ahead, five more restoration projects focused on religious buildings within the Kyrenia district are scheduled to commence before the year concludes. This comprehensive approach underscores the committee's dedication to the holistic preservation of Cyprus's diverse heritage.
Beyond religious edifices, the committee’s remit also encompasses the conservation and restoration of non-religious historical buildings. Examples of these ongoing or planned projects include the conservation of a historic stone house in the Famagusta district village of Limnia, the restoration of the Diamante bastion within Famagusta’s historic Venetian city walls, and the conservation of historic aqueducts in Lefka. The collective effort, involving numerous experts and workers, is crucial for ensuring the longevity of these invaluable sites. Tuncay expressed his gratitude to "all the experts and workers involved for their contributions," highlighting the collaborative nature of these vital heritage preservation efforts. The successful implementation of such projects not only safeguards the physical remnants of the past but also fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of the shared history and cultural coexistence on the island.