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It is with great pleasure that I participate in tonight's event for the inauguration of the renovated building of the former Nicosia Municipal Hall
I feel strongly that the space we are in tonight symbolizes the connection between the modern city and the old Nicosia. We are in a part of the capital, which is identified with the history of the city, with the history of our country. Important activities, events and happenings of the political, cultural and social life of Nicosia and Cyprus took place here. The bastion and the area where Eleftherias Square was developed are part of the Venetian fortifications, which are one of the most remarkable monuments of the capital, from which its symbol comes.
Nicosia is not just the administrative centre of Cyprus and the capital of the Republic of Cyprus. In its streets and squares, modern Cypriot history was written, and our state was established and formed. The people and events of Nicosia's history largely determined the course of Cyprus and played a decisive role in its modern form. The divided Nicosia of today is nothing but the symbol and miniature of our national problem, the Cyprus problem, and we must do everything possible so that it ceases to be the last divided capital of Europe. Times are changing and so are our needs, the facts are changing and developments are moving at breakneck speed. It was only a matter of time, for obvious reasons, that the Administrative Services of the Nicosia Municipality were transferred to the new Nicosia Municipal Hall in the walled city. A real jewel for the Nicosia Municipality, with strong symbolism, as it is located close to the Dead Zone. The decision to turn it into a cultural centre by the Mayor of Nicosia and the members of the Municipal Council is, admittedly, a perfect example of combining history with contemporary culture, the old with the new, preserving historical memory and extending it to the present and the future through smart, creative, imaginative, qualitative and innovative initiatives.
The transformation of the Municipal Hall into a place of reception and hosting discussions with officials visiting the Mayor of Nicosia, as well as a venue for conferences, lectures, screenings, exhibitions and events organized by the State, will make it a reference point and a new cultural destination. In general, any adaptation and utilization of old monuments, sites and buildings to the present day, with aesthetic criteria, respect for the material and their historical and cultural identity, are initiatives worthy of congratulations.
That is why we, as a State, not only welcome such initiatives, but also feel proud and try in various ways to support them, especially through EU funds, to promote and inspire our citizens.
Dear Mayor, dear Members of the City Council, I congratulate you again for your work. You should feel proud that during your term of office a great project was promoted and implemented under the Cohesion Policy Programme "Thalia 2021-2027" funded by the European Union.
I really hope that your example will be followed by others, Municipalities, Bodies, Organised Groups, State Services and private individuals.
In conclusion, I think it is no exaggeration to say that today we are not just inaugurating a renovated administrative building. With it, we are inaugurating the new history of the city of Nicosia, which will be shaped and developed within the halls and walls of the old Town Hall, through what will take place and be projected in its interior and exterior spaces. Again, congratulations. Kudos to the initiators and even more so to the executors of this important project.
(RM/NZ/EP)
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