It is with great pleasure and satisfaction that we are here today at the Museums of the Pancyprian Gymnasium for the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation between the Pancyprian Gymnasium, on behalf of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth, and the Cyprus Institute.
The original Memorandum was signed in March 2017 with the aim of preserving, preserving and utilizing the Archive, manuscripts and relics of the Pancyprian Gymnasium. The work is led by the Institute of Cyprus' Science and Technology Research Centre for Archaeology and Cultural Heritage (CSETA), while the Institute of Cyprus' Digital Library of Cypriot Culture "Dioptra" is the platform that supports the whole effort with its modern technical features. The work is carried out in a specially equipped room by Secondary Education Photography teachers who are assigned to the Pancyprian Gymnasium for this purpose.
The need for recording, conservation, preservation, preservation, digitization and research exploitation of the rich historical archive of the Pancyprian Gymnasium - the first Secondary Education School of Cyprus founded in 1812 by Archbishop Cyprian - was considered highly imperative. We must protect it from the ravages of time and contribute to enriching research on the educational, cultural, religious, social and national life of our country. In this context, the following will be used in their entirety: a) the primary material of the Archive of the Pancyprian Gymnasium, as it is stored in the school premises, b) the Collection of manuscripts, antiquarian and printed publications of the Severio Library, c) the Collections of the Museums of the Pancyprian Gymnasium (Archaeological, Coins, Weapons, Maps, Exhibits, Art, etc.etc.) and d) the collections of the Physics, Chemistry and Biology Organ Library.
So far, important documents and objects belonging to both the school's Archives (such as: old documents, manuscripts, photographic material, paintings, church pictures, maps, objects from the old organ cabinet) and the school's Museums (such as: documents, books, paintings and other objects) have been photographed, digitized and posted on the "Dioptra" platform and are therefore accessible to everyone.
The success of these works is the beginning of a series of research activities for the preservation and promotion of the invaluable treasures of the Pancyprian Gymnasium, while the whole programme is part of the general policy of the Ministry of Education to upgrade the operation of historical schools in the centre of Nicosia. In the framework of our policy for the Pancyprian Gymnasium, this year the All-Day Programme of the Gymnasium Cycle started its operation, which is based on two axes, on the one hand on the STEAM methodology and on the other hand on the Greek Language and Greek Culture. In addition, this year the Pancyprion operates as a pilot school for the teaching of the French language, in the framework of the implementation of the policy for the teaching of two foreign languages in all classes of the Lyceum. Finally, the Centre for Classical Studies and Hellenic Letters will start operating tomorrow at the Severion Library with the opening ceremony. The Centre, which will operate in the evening hours and will be open to students from all Nicosia's high schools, will be able to use not only the books of the Severio but also the rich scientific material of the Archive of the Pancyprium -especially as it is being digitized- and the historical relics of its Museums.
We hope that the cooperation of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth with the Cyprus Institute will be upgraded and will continue through the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation with the Pancyprian Gymnasium. It is our obligation to assist so that, with the use of technology and all the means at our disposal, the intellectual treasures possessed by this historic school are preserved and can be exploited by modern research. This process will, I am sure, bring to light unknown aspects or elucidate better known aspects of the history of the Pancyprian Gymnasium and its contribution to Greek letters. At the same time, it will also enrich our knowledge of the contemporary history of Greek education in Cyprus, the history of Nicosia and of our country in general.
IP
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