The 18th of April was established in 1983 by UNESCO as the International Day of Monuments and Sites, following a proposal by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS). To celebrate this important day, with the ultimate aim of raising awareness of the importance of culture in society, a different theme is promoted each year and events are organised with the participation of citizens.
This year's theme for the celebration of the International Day of Monuments and Sites is "Cultural Heritage and Climate Change". Recognising the potential of cultural heritage and the need to implement balanced and sustainable development, with a focus on people and nature, ICOMOS International has defined the theme to organise events that will highlight the ways in which heritage can be a source of knowledge and reflection to address the negative impacts of climate change.
Under this central theme, this year's events of the Department of Antiquities seek to highlight the various ways in which anthropogenic culture and the natural environment are interdependent and interact. Man, using the available natural resources, has managed to create culture, which as an action is an intervention in the natural environment. Similarly, cultural heritage is the greatest proof that nature itself determines human intervention, in a continuous game of equilibrium over the centuries. It is this balanced relationship of interdependence, which the heritage of the past actively demonstrates, that modern societies are called upon to rediscover, since humanity is now experiencing the imbalance and limitlessness resulting from human intervention in nature as climate change. The survival of people, their culture and their monuments is inextricably linked to nature. Culture is saved when people are saved.
The Department of Antiquities, in the context of the International Day of Monuments and Sites, organizes events in all the provinces of free Cyprus. It is noted that, as every year, on Monday 18 April, the Archaeological Sites and Monuments of the Department of Antiquities open to the public will be free of charge. The programme of events is as follows :
- Saturday, 16 April, 19:30, Amathus archaeological site, Limassol.
Opening of an exhibition of contemporary art by visual artist Andreas Kallis entitled "HAPPY FEW". On the opening night, the musician Freedom Candlemaker with his compositions and songs will present the musical version of the thoughts and reflections common to the artwork. The exhibition will be open to the public from April 16 to May 20.
- Good Monday, April 18
Free admission for all to the Archaeological Sites and Monuments of the Department of Antiquities.
- Wednesday, 27 April, 19:30, Siliktar Aqueduct (ICOMOS Building), Perseus Street, Nicosia.
Dr. Antonis Hatzikiyriakou, Assistant Professor of Ottoman and Turkish History at Panteion University, will speak on "People, Environment and Water in Early Modern Cyprus."
- Thursday, 28 April, 20:00, Kasteliotissa Medieval Hall, Nicosia.
Screening of director Paschalis Papapetrou's documentary "Pentadaktylos". After the screening the audience will have the opportunity to discuss with the director.
- Thursday, 5 May, 19:30, Archaeological Site of ancient Kition, Larnaca.
Concert by the Larnaca Music School with traditional songs of Cyprus and Asia Minor.
- Sunday, 8 May, 11:00, Choulos Community Square, Paphos.
Presentation of the Ancient Monument Fountain of Choulos by Evi Fiouri, Archaeological Officer, Department of Antiquities and Sevina Floridou, Architect.
- Friday, 13 May, 17:45, Online.
Online workshop ICOMOS - Cyprus Section on "Cultural Heritage and Climate Change". Dr. Anthi Kaldeli, Archaeological Officer, Department of Antiquities, Dr. Kleanthis Nicolaides, Director of the Department of Meteorology, Dr. George Constantinou, former Director of the Department of Geological Survey and Mr. Yiannos Economou, Artist.
(NΓ/ΣΧ)
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