**NICOSIA** – A testament to the power of collaborative preservation, the bicommunal technical committee on cultural heritage has meticulously undertaken an ambitious project portfolio, safeguarding over 180 sites of historical significance across Cyprus. Since its inception in 2008, the committee, bolstered by over €45 million in funding since 2010, has been instrumental in orchestrating a wide array of restoration, urgent intervention, conservation, and survey initiatives, underscoring a profound commitment to the island's multifaceted past.
The committee's work, a deliberate exercise in fostering reconciliation, operates on a principle of equitable distribution, encompassing the rich tapestry of Turkish Cypriot, Greek Cypriot, and other communities' historical legacies. This balanced approach is vividly illustrated by the ongoing and planned projects. In the Limassol district, for instance, conservation efforts are slated to commence by 2026 for mosques located in the villages of Koilani and Ayios Thomas. Concurrently, tenders are being prepared for the vital restoration of ten additional mosques, strategically divided between the Paphos and Larnaca districts, with five earmarked for each region.
Beyond the preservation of religious sites, the committee's remit extends to a diverse spectrum of historical structures. Work is presently underway at the Panayia Apsinthonissa monastery, nestled between the Kyrenia district villages of Sychari and Vouno, and at the renowned Apostolos Andreas monastery near Rizokarpaso. Looking ahead, a significant undertaking involves the imminent commencement of five restoration projects targeting religious buildings within the Kyrenia district, anticipated before the close of the current year.
The scope of their endeavours is not confined to ecclesiastical sites. Plans are in motion to revitalise a historic stone house in the Famagusta district village of Limnia, fortify the Diamante bastion, an integral part of Famagusta’s formidable Venetian city walls, and restore the intricate historic aqueducts of Lefka. This comprehensive strategy, as articulated by Ali Tuncay, the Turkish Cypriot co-chairman of the committee, highlights 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. "Within the scope of work carried out under different phases, restoration, urgent intervention, conservation, or survey work has been completed on over 180 cultural heritage sites to date."
The financial underpinning for these extensive operations is substantial, with the European Union providing the lion's share of €35 million since 2010. Complementary funding has been channelled through the foundations administration (Evkaf), the Greek Orthodox Church, and various other organisations, demonstrating a broad coalition of support. This collaborative funding model mirrors the committee's operational ethos. "We maintain a balance between both sides," Tuncay emphasised. "Religious places of worship, baths, fountains, water mills, castle walls, archaeological sites, and cemeteries on both sides of Cyprus are considered as a whole and within the same framework."
The impact of the committee's protracted efforts transcends mere physical restoration. By treating the island's diverse cultural heritage as an indivisible entity, the project serves as a potent catalyst for building trust and mutual understanding between the two communities. The meticulous preservation of shared historical assets, from ancient aqueducts to sacred sites, offers a tangible pathway towards acknowledging and celebrating a common past, thereby laying the groundwork for a more unified future.