Seven new bicommunal conservation projects underway

The bi-communal Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage is moving ahead with seven new conservation projects which are expected to be finished by the end of 2022 - beginning of 2023.

The Greek Cypriot Co-Chair of the Committee, Sotos Ktoris, said that the projects concern conservation and rescue work at four churches and three mosques.

More specifically, conservation work will be taking place in Panagia church at Sysklipos, Agios Antonios in Massari, Agios Georgios in Goufes and Panagia Agias Νapas in Gypsou as well as at the mosques in Kalo Chorio Larnaka, Lefkara and Maroni.

Ktoris said that contracts have been signed with the contractors for these projects and their implementation is underway.

He also noted that the projects are being financed by the EU and some of them are co-financed by resources from the local communities.

Asked about the timetable for their completion, Ktoris said that they are expected to be finished by the end of 2022 – beginning of 2023.

Moreover, Ktoris said that they are now looking into other projects.

He said that they will soon be calling for tenders for the conservation of Agios Georgios in Prastio and Agios Georgios in Spathariko.

Studies are also underway for the church of Agios Sergios and Vakhos in Neta, Agios Georgios in Flamoudi, Agios Georgios in Limnia, Agios Ioannis in Argaki, Agia Paraskevi in Famagusta, the aqueducts in Lefka and Afania, and the mosques in Tochni, Alamino, Kalavassos, Terra, Avdimou and Alektora.

Ktoris underlined that “cooperation with Turkish Cypriot colleagues is excellent” and that “we share common interests for saving the monuments.”