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I am delighted to be at today's event organised by ICOMOS Cyprus with the Department of Antiquities, at the presentation of my friend and distinguished scientist in the field, now since 2023, Dr Marios Pelekanos. Mario and I have known each other since his student days during which he visited the architectural practice where I started working after my return to Cyprus. We were working on an architectural competition at the time and in conversation we did some sketches. His talent for architecture was immediately apparent. His love and passion for architectural research and study was also evident.
In the context of his thesis he could not stick to the bare essentials. He took up a subject on which few studies had preceded him and recorded 136 timber-framed churches of the 15th-19th centuries. He investigated their morphological type in relation to 15th century structures in France and documented their anti-seismic behaviour, their bioclimatic function and the locality of the materials. But he did not stop there. It also made specific provisions for their future maintenance and possible extension. I have personally studied a small number of timber-framed churches in Cyprus and Finland and documenting them has been one of the most challenging tasks I have undertaken as an architect.
Today's lecture takes place in the context of the celebrations of the European Archaeology Days, an institution that aims to raise awareness of all aspects of archaeology and, at the same time, to highlight the need to protect our cultural heritage.
The Cypriot built cultural landscape is a treasure that contains our identity, history and tradition of Cyprus. Our monuments tell the stories of centuries and are a bridge between the past and the present and it is up to us to continue their narrative into the future. Among them are UNESCO-listed monuments, a great recognition of their global value.
The protection of historic sites and monuments includes, at the same time, raising awareness about techniques and materials of earlier times, the adoption of practices and the use of sustainable resources combined with the use of new technologies, media or digital tools for their preservation and restoration.
The protection of historic sites and monuments includes, at the same time, raising awareness about techniques and materials of earlier times, the adoption of practices and the use of sustainable resources combined with the use of new technologies, media or digital tools for their preservation and restoration.
Furthermore, the conservation of our built heritage is also inextricably linked to the conservation of the landscape and biodiversity, as these elements complement each other and enhance the identity and history of a place, beyond the environmental aspect, also contributing to the sustainable development of local communities. Any interventions in historic sites and monuments, whether ancient or modern, both for their restoration and for accessibility purposes, need to be harmoniously integrated into the environment and carried out with environmentally friendly practices.
In conclusion, I would like to express my congratulations to the organisers of today's event for this very interesting topic to learn, reflect and discuss.
(ASP)
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