Cyprus stands with Armenians to preserve rich heritage

The Deputy Ministry of Culture always stands by and helps every effort of the Armenians of Cyprus to save their cultural heritage, said the competent Deputy Minister, Dr. Vasiliki Kassianidou, addressing an event organised on Saturday at the Municipal Theatre of Nicosia during which Armenian dances and songs were performed.

"Our ties with the Armenians are many, substantial and profound. They are historical, political, but also very human ties, as the destinies of our peoples intersect over time in the gears of history," the Deputy Minister of Culture pointed out.

Referring to the historical presence of Armenians in Cyprus, Vassiliki Kassianidou underlined that "the Deputy Ministry of Culture consciously always stands by and helps them in every effort and action and financially supports events and synergies, which aim to save and display elements of their cultural heritage".

"Furthermore, the Republic of Cyprus, having signed the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, has practically assumed the contractual obligation to protect the Armenian as well as the Cypriot Maronite Arabic languages, while by signing the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities of the Council of Europe, takes measures to strengthen and highlight the elements of identity, customs and culture of the Maronite, Latin and Armenian communities of our island, whose history is inextricably linked with the modern history of our country," she noted, underlining that "the Deputy Ministry of Culture works systematically to support and implement this political commitment of the Government".

Finally, she expressed the hope that "such laudable initiatives will continue in the future, and will forever offer the members of the Armenian community in Cyprus the opportunity to keep their customs and traditions alive, but will also offer all Cypriots the opportunity to get to know the cultural heritage of our fellow citizens".