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I am delighted to be at today's lecture as part of the events for the International Day of Monuments and Sites celebrated every year on 18 April. As Vice President of ICOMOS Cyprus and a member of ETEC with many years of close cooperation, and in my capacity as Commissioner for the Environment, I continue to support and promote synergies in actions aimed at protecting the environment, both built and intangible, for the benefit of society and the planet.
At the 2023 General Assembly of the International Council on Monuments and Sites in Sydney, the theme chosen for the 2024-2027 triennial scientific programme is "Resilience of Cultural Heritage to Disasters and Conflicts - Preparedness, Response and Restoration". The climate crisis, the now frequent natural disasters as well as conflicts, most recently the conflict in our neighbouring Middle East, which are destroying cultural sites and displacing communities on a massive scale, are issues that naturally lead to this highly targeted theme on behalf of ICOMOS International.
For 2024, the day is dedicated to "Rescuing monuments from conflict and destruction", giving us the opportunity to raise awareness of this issue through the lens of the Venice Charter: "The conservation and restoration of monuments are intended to preserve them both as works of art and as historical testimonies (Article 3) and their conservation also has as a primary requirement their 'uninterrupted' preservation and care (Article 4)".
May 2024 marks the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the International Charter for the Conservation and Restoration of Monuments and Sites (31 May), known as the Venice Charter. This pioneering document provides fundamental principles for the conservation and restoration of historic monuments and sites and has substantially shaped the field of heritage protection. The Venice Charter serves as a compass for practitioners and policy-makers, as well as for States in general, in their efforts to safeguard and protect their cultural heritage. As an addition to the Charter (1964), there is also the Charter of Florence (1982) with reference to historic gardens.
However, at this stage and taking into account what is happening at the social, environmental and cultural level, it seems necessary that the principles set out by the Venice Charter be reassessed and re-examined as to whether they continue to be relevant and responsive to contemporary demands and challenges. In the areas of the island controlled by the Republic of Cyprus, the efforts made by the executive and legislative authorities as well as organised civil society and individuals to protect and manage our cultural heritage (intangible and built) as well as the areas protecting nature and the man-made and natural landscape are enormous. Only the daily reactions of society and the younger generations judge us daily and demonstrate how effective these efforts are: our main enemy is neglect, indifference and, in second place, the possible inadequacy of institutions, mechanisms, regulations, human and financial resources.
And the political and inter-communal situation on the island is causing significant destruction of our cultural heritage in the areas subordinate to Turkey, despite the brave efforts of the bi-communal committee. These facts bring to the fore and highlight even more the value of the relevant international charters and legislation.
An important part of our cultural heritage is of course our built heritage, which serves as a reference element of our country's historical identity and course, past, present and future. The present and future of the ecclesiastical architectural heritage in Lusignan and Venetian Cyprus will be presented by An. Professor Michalis Olympios, whom I welcome to the event.
Thank you for your attention.
(ASP)
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