Culture Deputy Minister praised the spirit of women through the ages, on Friday evening, stressing that ‘from the ancient battlefields to the silent wars fought in the corridors of power and in the sanctuaries of our homes, women have been both architects and narrators of our shared history.’
Culture Deputy Minister was addressing the opening of the exhibition ‘Feminine Episteme: The Frontier of Love and War’, organised as part of the International Conference ‘Women in Warfare: from the myth of the Amazons to modern armed conflicts’, in Cornaro Art Centre, in Limassol.
‘Tonight, we stand at the crossroads of history and art, celebrating the indomitable spirit of women through the ages’ she noted, indicating that the exhibition pays due homage to women of every era, colour, age, and ethnicity who have played pivotal roles in wars and conflicts, not just as participants but as beacons of hope and harbingers of peace.
She also noted that the Conference serves as a testament to their strength and a reminder o
f our collective responsibility to recognize and honour their contributions to history and humanity.
Noting that the theme of the Conference crosscuts two subjects of immense importance, as they have shaped the history of humanity, including tangible and intangible heritage: the role of women in the development of societies, and the impact of conflicts, Deputy Minister explained that the urgency to protect human lives and safeguard our cultural heritage, in the face of armed conflicts has driven the Department of Antiquities of the Deputy Ministry of Culture to actively engage in international policies and actions.
‘Our response to the challenges posed by conflicts, including of course the consequences of the Turkish invasion in 1974, reflects our commitment to preservation,’ she said.
She also recalled that the ratification by Cyprus of the Hague Convention of 1954 and its Protocols underscores the country’s dedication to protecting Cultural property during Armed Conflict.
Stressing that Cyprus’s efforts
have led to significant contributions to international guidelines and the implementation of measures to safeguard cultural heritage, Kassianidou reminded that Cyprus, together with Italy, achieved Enhanced Protection status for our UNESCO World Heritage Properties, marking a historic moment in the activation of the Second Protocol. And added that this success achieved in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence and the National Guard General Staff, underscores the importance of integrating cultural heritage protection into military training and operations.
Furthermore, Kassianidou underlined that Cyprus’s contributions extend beyond legal frameworks to practical actions, such as the digitisation of archaeological data and the development of mitigation action plans and that these efforts ensure the preservation of our tangible heritage and embody our commitment to the principles of the Hague Convention.
The Deputy Minister noted that today’s event presents a remarkable opportunity to honour the multifacete
d roles of women in the realms of love and war, as expressed through the transformative power of art and congratulated both the local and Italian artists who participate in the exhibition, and also the organizers-the Dante Alighieri Comitato di Cipro, the International Centre of Studies of Arts and Humanities, the Cornaro Art Centre, and the Leucò Art Cultural Association, noting that their collective efforts have not only made this event possible but have also ensured that the stories and contributions of women, across time and territories, continue to be celebrated and remembered.
Source: Cyprus News Agency