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Welcome to today's event and thank you for your presence at the opening of the Press and Information Office's photo exhibition "KTICIC", which draws inspiration from the archaeological site of Kourion and features the female figure of KTICIC as a central figure.
The female figure of KTICIC, from the mosaic of the same name that dominantly adorns the central room of the baths complex at Curium, appears holding a measuring rod used by architects of the time. It easily creates the association that this is an architect of Antiquity and symbolizes the act of construction, the creation of the new, the foundation of the new. This female figure is the only one that has been found to date in an archaeological site in Cyprus, which highlights the great archaeological and cultural value of the mosaic.
The figure of KTICICIC appears on a medallion in the archaeological site of Kourion, a historical monument of our country, which reflects Cyprus as a conglomeration of emblematic civilizations that influenced the history of all mankind. Kourion was one of the strongest and richest kingdoms of Cyprus in ancient times. To this day, the remains of the sites of Kourion, the sanctuary, the stadium, the market, the theatre, the baths and the basilicas, bear witness to the prosperity, cultural and political identity of our land.
This immeasurable archaeological value of Kourion is captured through the photographic exhibition by the associate photographer of the Press and Information Office, Stefanos Kouratzis. Through a contemporary photographic view we travel to the history of our place, to the traces of a civilization that through the centuries was marked by conquerors and we know the quality of the craftsmen of the time, we perceive the nobility of the period.
Dear friends,
The exhibition "KTICICIC" that we are inaugurating tonight is a record of styles, buildings, mosaics and historical-cultural particularities from the Middle Bronze Age to the Early Christian Period. The female figure of KTICIC represents the birth of the new and is a characteristic sign of our country's resilience and survival from wars, invaders and the elements.
The mere fact that the administrative centre of the city of Kourion is a protected site not open to the general public adds value to the photographic exhibition we are presenting today. It gives all of us visitors the opportunity to admire with awe the historicity of Kourion. In a beautiful collaboration with the Nicosia International Festival and utilizing the art of photography as a means of communication, we are mentally guided to the rich past of our country, while promoting the cultural value of the archaeological monument of Kourion.
Friends,
At this point I would like to thank the Department of Antiquities for granting permission and facilitating the team of the Press and Information Office both for taking the photographs and for helping with the research.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Director of the Press and Information Office Mrs. Aliki Stylianou and the Artistic Director of the Nicosia 2023 International Festival Mr. George G. Papageorgiou and their teams for the inspiration and realization of this important photographic exhibition, which I am sure will be a unique experience for its visitors.
(MKI/NZ/ASP)
Contents of this article including associated images are owned by PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
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