Restoration of Peristerona cultural centre

THE INAUGURAL event for the newly refurbished Peristerona House takes place today. This opening of the building will be marked with the launch of a book about the Basilica at Soli at 7.30pm.

The Bishop of Morphou, Neophytos, said yesterday “The aim of the centre is to host events and activities that promote the cultural heritage and civilization of all Cypriots.”

The restoration process took place between 2007 and 2009 with the support of UNDP Action for Cooperation and Trust (ACT). The building, which was constructed in 1914 retains to a large degree its original character, was fully restored for the benefit of all Cypriots.

The strengthening of ties between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots in the broader Morphou region is considered extremely important to the Bishopric’s Cultural and Environmental Foundation in Peristerona.

“We are convinced that if we wish to live together in one shared homeland, we must work for the creation of a climate of trust, by cultivating in our people a spirit of tolerance, mutual respect, dialogue, and above all forgiveness” he added

The book, entitled The Basilica at Soli, Cyprus: a Survey of the Buildings and Mosaics, by David S Neal, will be introduced by US Ambassador Frank C Urbanic.

The book has been published by Supporting Activities that Value the Environment (SAVE), and it documents the recent preservation efforts at the Basilica at Soli. This work was supported by the Bishopric of Morphou, as part of its wider commitment to the protection of Cyprus’ shared heritage.

It is hoped that the Peristerona House will contribute further to this mandate by hosting many more multicultural events and activities in the years to come. Urbanic said yesterday “I hope that (Peristarona House’s) activities will contribute to building a multicultural and peaceful future.”

ACT and SAVE are both funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.