Cyprus and Lebanon forge a cultural connection

In a significant step towards enhancing cultural ties, Cyprus and Lebanon are joining hands for a two-day workshop centered around cultural heritage, diplomacy, and tourism. The event, scheduled for September 1st and 2nd, 2023, will take place in the picturesque Fikardou village.

This collaboration finds its roots in several pioneering projects funded by the EU H2020 initiative: TΕxTOUR, IMPACTOUR, and ERA Chair MNEMOSYNE. These projects are dedicated to advancing cultural heritage documentation, preservation, sustainable cultural tourism, and strategic planning.

A key partnership between the UNESCO Chair on Digital Cultural Heritage at the Cyprus University of Technology and SME GAIA Heritage in Lebanon has been forged through the TExTOUR Project. Their joint effort aims to create a roadmap for cultural heritage and tourism cooperation between Fikardou, Cyprus, and Anfeh, Lebanon.

Under the IMPACTOUR project, Fikardou collaborates with 26 other Pilot Sites across Europe to gather vital data on visitor trends, cultural assets, infrastructure, and economic indicators. This data will contribute to the development of new tools for destination management.

Anfeh, a coastal town in Lebanon, and Fikardou, an inland village in Cyprus, share similarities as both feature on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List. Their harmonious blend of architecture and natural surroundings presents a unique cultural landscape.

The upcoming two-day workshop in Fikardou aims to create a roadmap for sustainable cooperation in Digital Heritage, Cultural Diplomacy, and Cultural Tourism. This initiative will engage local communities, policymakers, stakeholders, and their rich traditions. Participants will gain insights into holistic digital heritage documentation, explore Fikardou's cultural value as a tourist destination, and acquire practical experience.

The workshop is set to take place at Fikardou's historic old school building.

For more information about the Αnfeh - Fikardou project, click here.