Greece and Cyprus to Collaborate on Solutions for Climate Change Impact on Cultural Heritage

Cypriot Deputy Culture Minister Lina Kassianidou with Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni. Photo source: Culture Ministry.

Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni met her Cypriot counterpart Lina Kassianidou in Athens earlier this month to discuss ways to strengthen the two countries’ bilateral cooperation in the field of culture.

During the working meeting, the ministers discussed the impact of climate change on cultural heritage and agreed to further collaborate on the subject, expanding their initiative to include other countries of the Eastern Mediterranean area. Greece is currently developing its National Action Plan to address this issue, which is expected to be fully implemented in 2025.

Mendoni and Kassianidou also discussed the renewal of the Memorandum of Cultural Cooperation between Greece and Cyprus, which will reflect new areas of common interest.

In addition, the ministers agreed to share best practices implemented by the Greek Culture Ministry’s Directorate of the National Monuments Archive Management, such as the archaeological cadastre info system. They also agreed to integrate Cypriot cultural projects in European programs.

Photo source: Greece – Cyprus Interreg.

Kassianidou said the Cypriot Deputy Ministry of culture was particularly interested in the exchange of know-how on the production of cultural artefacts’ copies that can be sold as art or educational or tourism memorabilia.

Other issues discussed at the meeting included the institutional framework for cultural projects donations and sponsorship, the creation of incentives to strengthen the traditional crafts sector, the collaboration between the Cyprus Theatre Organization (THOK) and the Athens-Epidaurus Festival, and the inclusion of Greek authors whose books are published in Cyprus in the Greek State Literary Awards.

The meeting was also attended by the Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to Greece, Kyriakos Kenevezos, and officials from the two countries’ ministries.