Completion
of the conservation project of Ayios Nicolaos
church
in Syrianohori
An official ceremony was held yesterday
afternoon to mark the completion of the conservation project of the church of
Ayios Nicolaos in the occupied village of Syrianohori in the Morfou area.
The conservation works of the church of
Ayios Nicolaos were implemented, within 2014, by the United Nations Development
Programme – Partnership for the Future (UNDP-PFF) in cooperation with the bicommunal
Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage (TCCH), and were fully funded by the
European Union as part of its support to the TCCH’s emergency measures and
conservation projects.
The ceremony was held at the site of the church in the occupied village and was attended, inter alia, by the two Heads and the members of the TCCH, UNDP-PFF and EU representatives, as well as dozens of people.
Speaking during the ceremony the Greek
Cypriot Head of the TCCH, Mr Takis Hadjidemetriou, thanked all those who worked
collectively for the completion of the project, noting that “the implementation
of the project constitutes proof of the TCCH’s important role”. He also said
the cooperation between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, which is based on
mutual trust and love for Cyprus, is paying off. Concluding, Mr Hadjidemetriou
said the restoration of Ayios Nicolaos church sends the message that “if Greek
Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots managed to unite in order to preserve our past,
maybe we can also unite in order to ensure a common future.”
On his part, the Turkish Cypriot Head of
the TCCH, Mr Ali Tuncay, said the members of the Committee believed that “it is
only through mutual acceptance and the respect of the two sides’ values and
cultural heritage that Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots can prosper in a peaceful
environment.”
Also addressing the ceremony were the
project manager on behalf of the UNDP-PFF, Ms Tiziana Zennaro, and the European
Commission representative, Ms Michaela Di Bucci.
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