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- Ελληνικά
The confirmation ceremony of the new Deputy Minister of Culture, Mrs. Vasiliki Kassianidou, took place today at the Presidential Palace, in the presence of the President of the Republic Mr.
In his address at the ceremony, the President of the Republic said that "Dr. Vassiliki Kassianidou takes over the helm of the Deputy Ministry of Culture today, following the departure of the dear Michalis Hatzigiannis.
Starting my pre-election consultation with the civil society and the preparation of my pre-election programme, I set Culture and Education as one of my main priorities. That is why, moreover, it was the first theme that I presented publicly at a special event in Nicosia, precisely in order to emphasise the importance that I would attach to these areas during my administration. Precisely because I recognise the value of Culture, Arts and Letters for the spiritual culture and consequently the prosperity of the Cypriot people.
I would like to thank the outgoing Deputy Minister Mr. Hatzigiannis, who took over the newly created Deputy Ministry at a difficult juncture, for his contribution and above all for his love for Cyprus and our common vision that will never cease to bind us together. He worked and promoted the goals that were set and I want to wish him a good continuation of the brilliant career that he himself so painstakingly conquered in the field of Greek music and creation, where he rightfully earned the title of a worthy Cypriot ambassador.
For the first time in the history of the Republic of Cyprus, the portfolio of culture was taken over by a professional creator and this was very innovative and courageous. And that is something I am very pleased about.
The baton today to promote the ambitious programme of our governance in the field of culture is being passed on to a man who has excelled in another field, the academic field, and in particular in the field of archaeology.
I have no doubt that Ms. Lina Kassianidou, as an accomplished member of our country's academic community, will make her own mark, drawing on her scientific knowledge and her very rich experience. Ms Kassianidou's particularly remarkable professional career testifies to her knowledge and skills, which it is time for them to be taken out of the narrow confines of the academic community and offered, as a work now, to all Cypriots through the pursuit of policies beneficial to all our people.
Let me, at the ceremony of her appointment today, thank her warmly and publicly for her acceptance. I know dear Lina from my own career at the University of Cyprus, we taught in the same Department of History and Archaeology, and I know that her decision to leave a long and very successful career in academia was by no means an easy one.
I want to express my appreciation for this decision that took both virtue and courage, because I know firsthand that it is not easy for any of us to leave our safety zone, a place where we excel and it is our home, the University of Cyprus, to take risks, to expose ourselves to politics, which is a tough place to be.
But this is what the public good requires and that is why the worthy and capable must dare to be able to offer for the many, for what is great and important for our country, setting aside their personal path. For all these reasons, my dear Lina, thank you very much.
By the way, it is worth pointing out and admitting that it also takes courage for a woman, new to politics, to throw herself into this difficult arena, especially considering that in our country the number of women who have assumed the role of Minister has been limited over time, although we have been making diligent efforts in recent years to achieve a more balanced representation of the sexes. I have promised to do so and I am doing so and, little by little, there are more and more women in political offices in our country.
By assuming the Ministry of State for Culture, in addition to all her other virtues and skills, as a person of versatility and multifaceted personality, dear Lina as a woman is helping to ensure that young girls and not only, by identifying with her, have the opportunity to see themselves in politics, to believe that a seat at the table of their country's Cabinet meetings could be an option for them as well and to pursue it.
The concept of culture is not limited to the narrow context of letters and arts, archaeology, writing, theatre, painting or pottery. The concept of culture is much broader. It encompasses the value system of human beings, the terms on which we interact daily within society, the prevailing perceptions, the aesthetic mores, our collective consciousness, the empathy required for a just and inclusive society.
A play, a musical composition, a photograph, any work of art are cultural elements in themselves, while, at the same time, they indirectly produce culture through the feelings and thoughts they generate in us.
The power of culture, as a means of shaping beliefs and influencing people, is readily apparent if we consider the numerous instances in human history where cultural works and their creators have been targeted by authoritarian regimes or the adherents of extreme, fanatical views. Banned books, artists in exile, under persecution, vandalism of works of art, censorship and much more that we see to this day.
Culture shapes and reshapes us, providing the impetus for reflection and the catalyst for internal and social dialogue, for intellectual ferment that elevates the human condition. At the same time, a country's cultural production has the power to be a valuable tool for promoting its positions and its well-intentioned interests at the international level. Furthermore, the cultural sector creates jobs and income, and has a significant impact on the wider economy. It is a driver of innovation, a source of creative skills and acts as a magnet that contributes to the development of other sectors such as the economy and tourism. The cultural and creative industries in particular are agents of economic growth and cohesion.
Recognising the importance of culture, the Cypriot state wisely decided to create a Deputy Ministry of Culture.
The main concern of our government is to encourage cultural creation and we believe that in order to achieve this it is necessary to support creators, who are known to be plagued by a number of difficulties due to the instability and insecurity inherent in this professional sector.
We have set ambitious goals and we have the political will to achieve them.
We have set ambitious goals and we have the political will to achieve them.
Dear Mrs. Deputy Minister of Culture, Dr. Vasiliki Kassianidou, my dear Lina, I express my confidence that in close cooperation with the Director General and the officials and associates of the Deputy Ministry, with the other members of the Council of Ministers, but also with my personal support, you will successfully accomplish this demanding task.
Knowing you, I have no doubt about the dedication and zeal you will demonstrate in order to realize our vision of promoting and strengthening cultural activity in our country. As I pointed out from the outset to all members of the Cabinet and my other officials and colleagues in the Presidency, I expect ethics, dedication, hard work, commitment and efficiency. We are all judged for our work on a daily basis, first and foremost by the Cypriot people, who rightly have high expectations of all of us. I have no doubt, dear Lina, that you have the necessary qualities to chart a brilliant course that will open new horizons for culture in our country. A culture that it deserves. A culture that we deserve.
Congratulating you on your appointment, I wish you a good start in the performance of your duties, the best and most productive course."
For her part, the new Deputy Minister of Culture thanked the President of the Republic for the appointment, adding that "I have carefully read the objectives you have set, Mr. President for Culture in the governance programme and I assure you that I will work hard, together with all the staff of the Deputy Ministry to implement them.
Continuing the work of my predecessor, Mr. Michael Hatzigiannis, whom I thank for everything he has done during his term of office, I will work for the recognition and protection of the rights of artists and will do everything I can to give young people the opportunity to come into contact with the artistic creation of our country in all its manifestations.
As of July 1, the Department of Antiquities, one of the oldest and most important departments in the country and one that will soon be celebrating 90 years of operation, has been incorporated into the Ministry of State. I promise that I will do everything I can to make this transition smooth and efficient.
I am confident that in the Deputy Ministry of Culture, the Department of Antiquities will be able to smoothly implement its objectives, which converge on the protection and promotion of our cultural heritage.
I hope that together we will find ways for new generations to get to know the arts and culture of our country, from ancient to modern times."
(RM/NG/EXP)
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