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Christian monuments in Turkish- occupied Cyprus: Aspects and deeds of a continuous destruction Photographic Exhibition Prologue
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Christian monuments in Turkish- occupied Cyprus: Aspects and deeds of a continuous destruction Photographic Exhibition Prologue
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In today’s age of globalization, cultural heritage is what
distinguishes one nation from the other. Only by preserving its
cultural heritage can a people make its position known on the
cultural map of the world. At the same time, respect for the freedom
of others, tolerance of the diversity of our fellow human being, the
study and recording of historical truth, all these constitute
principles and coordinates which every state based on the rule of
law is obliged to uphold for its citizens. In Cyprus, however, this
island museum of culture in the Eastern Mediterranean, these
principles continue to be brutally violated as a result of the
Turkish invasion and occupation of its northern part for the past 32
years. As can be seen from this photographic exhibition stemming
from the research programme of the Museum of the Holy Monastery of
Kykkos, Christianity irrespective of denomination is under
persecution in a member-state of the great European Family.
Churches, where they have not been demolished, have been converted
and are used for the keeping of animals, the native population has
been expelled and their ancestral homes have been taken over by
settlers from Anatolia, archaeological finds, icons and
wall-paintings of a 5.000-year old civilization have been pillaged
and are sold by smugglers in art markets abroad. 