Our mandatePreservation of the cultural heritageof CyprusThe Committee works to provide a mutually ac-ceptable mechanism for the implementation ofpractical measures for the proper maintenance,preservation, physical protection and restora-tion (including research, study and survey) ofthe immovable cultural heritage of Cyprus.

EducationEducation is central to the mission of the Commit-tee. The Committee actively works to create aneducational interactive programme that gives theopportunity to the younger generation of TurkishCypriots and Greek Cypriots to learn about eachother and the cultural heritage of the island.

Study of Cyprus Cultural HeritageIn 2009 the Committee agreed to compile astudy of the immovable cultural heritage ofCyprus. This European Union funded study wasrealized in 2010 thanks to the support of theUnited Nations Development Program – Part-nership for the Future (UNDP-PFF). The study re-sulted in the compilation of a list of more than2300 cultural heritage sites, the preparation ofaround 700 inventory charts including historicalbackground, pictures, topographical details andarchitectural sketches of each monument, and

the carrying out of 121 technical assessments,analyzing the current conditions of the monu-ments, and restoration costing needs.

Emergency interventions on Cultural Heritage sites in CyprusThe Study conducted in 2010 resulted in theidentification of a list of 10 cultural heritagesites throughout the island in need of emer-gency measures.Thanks to EU funds, and the continued support

of UNDP-PFF, a decision was made in 2012 tocarry out emergency interventions in the fol-lowing sites:

l Denia / Denya Mosque l Philia / Serhatköy Profitis Elias Church l Komi Kebir / Büyükkonuk Agios Afksentios Church l Kalograia / Esentepe Melandrina Church l Syrianochori / Yayla Agios Nicolaos Church l Mustafa Pasha Mosque - Famagusta l Çherkez Mosque – Phasouri / Çerkez Çiftliğil Kato Paphos / Aşağı Baf Bath l Trachoni / Demirhan Panagia Church l Evretu / Dereboyu Mosque

The project of “Services for the Survey, Investi-gation, Assessment and Project Designs for theOthello Tower/Citadel” is also being carried outthanks to EU funding and UNDP-PFF support.The project will be followed by emergencyworks on this important monument.

Additional emergency support works Partial support works were recently com-pleted at the Agios PanteleimonasMonastery in Myrtou / Çamlıbel. The Tech-nical Committee is developing the proce-

dures for the actual restoration of this mon-ument.

A program for Small Project Activities (SPA)focusing on grass-roots interventions inMonuments requiring low-cost, easy-to-do,small-scale tasks capable of producing earlyresults are being implemented in 10 sites: 5mosques and 5 churches throughout the is-land.The Committee is currently working on tworestoration projects for the Arnavut Mosqueand the Archangel Michael Church.

The Committee has also recently assumed acoordination and facilitator role for the

Established in April 2008, the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage is dedicated to recognizeand protect the rich and diverse cultural heritage of the island.

The Committee is supported in its work by an Advisory Board composed of archaeologists, archi-tects, art historians and town planners from both communities. All its programmatic decisions aretaken in line with the agreed principles and the task attributed by the two Leaders.

“The Cultural Heritage Technical Committee believes that it is the primary responsibility of the GreekCypriots and the Turkish Cypriots to protect the endangered cultural heritage of the island, and that itis important for these monuments to be preserved not only because they are important symbols for theTurkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots, and for humanity, but also because they have intrinsic valuesin themselves” (Press Statement of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage 06/05/2009).

From decision making to implementationCurrent and future projects

Çherkez Mosque – Phasouri / Çerkez Çiftliği Evretu / Dereboyu Mosque Komi Kebir / Büyükkonuk Agios Afksentios Church Kalograia / Esentepe Melandrina Church

Trachoni / Demirhan PanagiaChurch

Philia / SerhatköyProfitis Elias Church

Famagusta /Mustafa Pasha Mosque

Othello tower - Famagusta

Denia / Denya Mosque

restoration of the Apostolos Andreasmonastery in Karpaz/Karpasia having the sup-port of all interested parties in accordancewith internationally recognized modalitiesand regulations.

The Technical Committee believes that protec-tion of cultural heritage is an integral part of theongoing process of broadening areas of coop-

eration between the Greek Cypriots and theTurkish Cypriots, which can only be achievedthrough joint efforts.

The call of the Technical Committee to thoseinterested in our work is to give support to ourefforts for preserving past heritage so that wecan build our future on a culture of peace, tol-erance, cooperation, dialogue and respect fordifferences.

The members of the Technical Committee wishto acknowledge the support and facilitationprovided to their work by the Office and thestaff of the Special Representative of the Secre-tary-General on Cyprus.

This brochure has been produced with the financial assistance of theEuropEan union. The views expressed herein can in no way be taken to

reflect the official opinion of the EuropEan union and the united nationsDevelopment programme.

Kato Paphos / Aşağı Baf Bathα

Syrianochori / Yayla Agios Nicolaos Church

The Technical Committeeon Cu ltural Heritage

in Cyprus

October 2012