The exhibition "ELLE - Woman in Antiquity" was inaugurated today at the historic site of the Austrian National Library by the Minister of Interior of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr.
The event, which was organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus in Austria, in cooperation with the Press and Information Office, was graced by the presence and address of two leading figures in the field of international relations, the Director General of the United Nations Office in Vienna, Ms. Gada Waly, and Ms. Helga Schmid, Secretary General of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
The "ELLE - Cyprus in the Feminine" exhibition of the Press and Information Office presents sculptural depictions of deities and female figurines from the 4th millennium BC to the Roman Era, most of which are on display at the Cyprus Museum of Nicosia and the Limassol Archaeological Museum. Through the unique perspective of photographer Stephanos Kurantzis, the different styles that developed in Cyprus during Antiquity are revealed. At the same time, as Minister Nouris stressed in his greeting, "this exhibition is a hymn to women everywhere and their virtues."
"The impact of the role of women has always been essential to the social fabric," the Minister continued. "Nowadays we are witnessing the fact that a change in perception related to the pursuit of equality is possible. It is for this reason that we need to intensify this struggle," said Minister Nouris, who inaugurated the exhibition by expressing his sincere thanks to the Press and Information Office for producing the exhibition and to the Embassy, which contributed to its presentation in Vienna.
"Women have been struggling for centuries to become part of public life, to have a place at the table."
"Women have been struggling for centuries to become part of public life, to have a place at the table."
"Women have been struggling for centuries to become part of public life, to have a place at the table. We have come a long way since antiquity, but there is still a lot of work to be done. Two decades into the 21st century, gender inequalities persist in many areas such as employment, working conditions and quality of life," said UN Vienna Chief of Mission Ms. Gada Waly in her speech.
OSCE Secretary General Helga Schmid, in her own intervention, noted that the exhibition encourages visitors to reflect on the roles of women in societies. "The images demonstrate an evolution in stereotypes and a change in the way we see the role of women," she said, adding that space is being created for women to take on different roles and move towards gender equality.
During the event, the Press and Information Office became the custodian of the historical map "Acamantis Insula hoggidi Cipro", the work of Italian cartographer Vincenzo Coronelli, which is part of the collection of the Austrian National Library. The Director of the Press and Information Office, Mrs. Aliki Stylianou, received the relevant plaque, saying that "the adoption of the map already in the National Library of Vienna proves that the history of Cyprus is greater than the size of the island."
The opening of the exhibition was held in the presence of numerous representatives of the diplomatic community of Vienna. In addition to the guests of the diplomatic corps, Cypriots who live and excel in Austria were also in attendance.
Earlier, the Interior Minister had a meeting with his Austrian counterpart, Gerhard Karner, followed by an interview with a major Austrian newspaper.
The photography exhibition "ELLE - Cyprus in the Feminine" will be open to the public on 21 and 22 January 2023 at the Austrian National Library.
(EFYs/MX/SX)
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