CELEBRATING FAMAGUSTA ON WORLD HERITAGE DAY
Famagusta, Cyprus
In 2012–17, approx. 3 Million EURO of EUROPEAN UNION funding is being invested in Famagusta’s cultural heritage through UNDP Cyprus in support of projects identified by the bi-communal Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage. A further €8.7 Million of EU funding was invested on other cultural heritage conservation projects island-wide to support the ongoing peace and confidence building efforts and bring Cypriots together around their shared heritage. In total, approximately €11.7 Million have been provided by the European Union through the Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community to implement the priorities of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage for the preservation of the island-wide cultural heritage in Cyprus. The European Union is the largest contributor to the work of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage in Cyprus.
“I don’t remember such a big investment of money being put into cultural heritage in this part of Europe, in a long time” observes Glafkos Constantinides, one of 12 members (6 Greek Cypriots and 6 Turkish Cypriots) of the bi-communal Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage responsible for the selection of heritage sites to benefit from EU and UNDP supported conservation works islandwide.
“The walled city of Famagusta is at the crossroads of three continents. Famagusta is the easternmost city of Europe and the western most city of Asia. It is the city of empires, meeting and melting pot of many civilizations, cultures and religions. As the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage, we believe that Famagusta can again become a unique center of multiculturalism, cooperation and peace for all. With this in mind, as the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage, we will continue to do our utmost for the protection of cultural heritage monuments in Famagusta.” Says Ali Tuncay, Turkish Cypriot representatives of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage, who was born and raised in Famagusta.
Working together on Famagusta gives the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage the opportunity to develop a joint vision for the city.
Ravelin/Land Gate, Martinengo Bastion and the city-side portion of the Walls between Arsenal and Sea Gate are three of seven new projects that, thanks to EU and UNDP support, the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage is planning to carry out in Famagusta Walled City in 2017. The other projects are conservation works to: St. Mary Church of Armenians, St Mary Church of Carmel (Carmelite), St. Anne Church of Maronites, and the Mescit of Tabakhane/Tanner’s Mosque (Jacobite Church).