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It is with great pleasure that I inaugurate tonight the photography exhibition "Giorgos Lanitis: Stories of a Life" and welcome the presentation of the digitization of his work by the Library of the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT). This is an important initiative as it combines modern technology and art, thus contributing greatly not only to its preservation for future generations but also to its dissemination, making it accessible to a wider audience.
The digitization of the photographic archive of George Lanitis is a project of great scale and importance, which required years of work and dedication. From 2017 to 2023, it was digitized by modern means and registered by the Library of CUT in the electronic platform "Athena". In this way, a significant volume of his valuable work was preserved. The digitized archive includes 2,720 photographs, some of which were rescued from the photographer's house in Belapais in 1974.
In July 1974, George Lanitis lost, along with his own house and property, his photographic equipment and almost all of his negatives and his collection of photographs. The digitisation therefore ensures that this will never happen again.
The task of saving the archive was not only laborious but also pioneering and valuable, just like the photographer's contribution to the history of Cypriot photography. The digitized archive succeeded in conveying in an authentic way the love of George Lanitis for the people, Cyprus and its history. Being a citizen of the world, as he has been described, Lanitis travelled to many parts of the world and recorded with his camera the history of the second half of the twentieth century, preserving the identity of his land. The archive is full of personalities, events and happenings both in Cyprus and in many countries of the world, and is a tribute to the man and artist George Lanitis, as well as a legacy for future generations.
The life and work of a man who passionately loved his work is also a legacy.
Born in Famagusta in 1936 and originally from Lania Limassol, George Lanitis studied Communication and Arts at the London College of Printing and Graphic Arts, where he graduated with honours. He also studied Creative Photography in Germany and Cinema in West Berlin.
His professional career includes stints at major media outlets such as the Times of Cyprus and the B.B.C. He was also appointed Chief Filmmaker and Head of International and Public Relations at the Cyprus Broadcasting Foundation. He worked as Press Adviser to the Cyprus High Commission in London and was elected Secretary General of the Commonwealth Arts Organisation. He was editor of the Cyprus Diplomatist magazine and for 24 years had a regular column in The Cyprus Weekly. All this while leaving a strong mark on the promotion of Cyprus internationally.
His artistic career even richer. At the age of 17 he organised his first photographic exhibition in Cyprus and, while still a student in London, he won the distinction of Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society of Britain for his achievement in artistic photography. In 1957 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Artists of Britain. He also helped to establish the first gallery of abstract art and photography in London, the New Vision Centre, demonstrating his pioneering thinking. Returning to Cyprus, he impressed with his exhibition of photographs and his collaboration with George Paul Georgiou, playing a crucial role in the cultural dissemination and recognition of photographic art in Cyprus during the twentieth century, and in 1960 he founded the Cyprus Photographic Society. Through his lens he managed to capture personalities of the international scene, emphasizing culture and history. I could not fail to mention the fact that he directed about 15 films.
George Lanitis, with his rich work, has been honoured with high cultural distinctions as a figure who has made significant contributions to both art and social life in Cyprus.
In 2004, the President of the Republic of Cyprus awarded him the highest cultural distinction for his contribution to the Arts.
In 2004, the President of the Republic of Cyprus awarded him the highest cultural distinction for his contribution to the Arts.
In 2004, the President of the Republic of Cyprus awarded him the highest cultural distinction for his contribution to the Arts.
In 2004, the President of the Republic of Cyprus awarded him the highest cultural distinction for his contribution to the Arts. In 2005, a week before his death, the then Cultural Services of the Ministry of Education and Culture, now the Department of Contemporary Culture of the Deputy Ministry of Culture, published the album "George Lanitis - 50 Years of Photography" as a minimum tribute.
In 2005, a week before his death, the then Cultural Services of the Ministry of Education and Culture, now the Department of Contemporary Culture of the Deputy Ministry of Culture, published the album "George Lanitis - 50 Years of Photography" as a minimum tribute. A scrapbook in which half a century of his artistic career is outlined: portraits of famous and anonymous people, landscapes, silkscreens, digital photography, etc.
In closing, I would like to congratulate the TEPAK through its Rector, my dear friend Professor Panagiotis Zafiris. Congratulations also to the Department of Multimedia and Graphic Arts, as well as to the Library of TEPAX and its Director Mr. Marios Zervas for the enormous work of digitization. Thanks to the curator of the exhibition Mrs. Elena Stylianou, but also to all those who participated or supported for this successful organization.
We owe warm thanks to Mrs. Androulla Lanitis, devoted wife of Giorgos Lanitis, who supported him continuously throughout his artistic career. Her invaluable contribution to the preservation and promotion of his work is indisputable. It is a great honour for us to have her with us today at this event, which in essence is also a ceremony of remembrance and honour for a great man of art: the scapegoat of art, photography and documentary in Cyprus.
It is a great honour and good fortune for me to be here to inaugurate this important exhibition. George Lanitis was a dear friend of my parents and I have many memories of legendary meals at their home, but also of the stories he shared with us in a unique way and always with a great dose of his special humour. George Lanitis was a multifaceted and tremendous personality who always impressed me.
Today's event reinforces our commitment, as the Deputy Ministry of Culture, to highlight and support even further the cultural wealth of Cyprus, ensuring that the great work of artists, such as the work and valuable photographic archive of George Lanitis, constituting a memorable chapter in the history of Cypriot art, will continue to inspire and educate future generations.
It is important to keep alive the memory of people who have made the greatest contribution to the art and culture of our country, keeping their artistic contribution indelible in time.
Congratulations to all.
(EFYs/GS/AF)
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