REPRESENTATIVES of the two communities of Famagusta met at the Ledra Palace yesterday in order to demonstrate their intention to co-operate in efforts to preserve their common cultural heritage within the walled city.
Presentations were made of ongoing and planned projects.
The leaders of the two communities, Alexis Galanos and Oktay Kayalp, underlined their intention to work together for the purpose of protecting the cultural heritage of Famagusta, with the support of the international community.
The meeting was sponsored by the UN and the EU Presidency (Portugal), as well as by Germany, Italy, Sweden, Finland, Hungary Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
Both sides expressed the hope that the event would facilitate further bi-communal meetings, contributing to charting a common future for the two communities.
In his welcoming remarks, Michael M?ller, Special Representative to the UN Secretary-General, said: “We are trying to save Famagusta and will do our best to restore the town for years and generations to come. This is a great endeavour with the town being the common heritage of all Cypriots, which is under attack from the weather and general neglect. In fact, its heritage is for all of mankind.”
Professor Giovanni Perbellini of Europa Nostra described Famagusta as, “a magnificent town which represents the gateway from Europe to the south and east.”
He added that numerous cultures have been involved in its building and conservation over the years.
“However, over the past three decades or so, the town has become isolated from the memory of Europe and we want the European community involved in its safeguarding and conservation.”
In a speech, Galanos said: “On my part I can guarantee that I will do all that is possible to help take this initiative a step forward and I sincerely hope that this can prove a stepping stone to the opening of the city to Europe and to Cyprus as a
whole.
He also stated that a town is its people, its history and its future. “The people of Famagusta, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, secure in their ancestral homes and properties, should join forces not only to save the past but to build a future in a reunited Cyprus and Famagusta.”
According to the Mayor, the town’s multi-cultural nature makes it imperative for the world to abandon a policy of benign neglect.
Archaeologist and art historian Anna Marangou called the town a European work of art.
“Our children and grandchildren should have the right to know the city as we did,” she stated, advising the authorities to work “silently and efficiently” in order to avoid political interference.
During yesterday’s meeting, an excerpt from a documentary film charting the rise and fall “of what was once the richest city in the world”, was played to the assembled dignitaries and guests.
Named, ‘The Stones of Famagusta’, the stars of the film are the buildings themselves: Mediaeval churches, Venetian gateways, Ottoman baths and almost two miles of some of the most impressive city walls to be seen anywhere in the world.
The film is the result of a collaboration between Canadian art historian Allan Langdale and British filmmaker Dan Frodsham. Their aim has been to share their passion for the heritage of the old town in the hope that this will generate renewed interest in this ‘forgotten’ city, both in Cyprus and abroad.
