A new website, which aims to showcase cultural heritage sites across Cyprus, through photographs, interactive maps, 3D reconstructions and other multimedia, has been launched by the European Commission and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) .
The Cyprus Digital Heritage website (www.cyprusdigitalheritage.com) is funded by the EU through the Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community, and will eventually include cultural heritage sites restored and conserved by the bicommunal Technical Committee of Cultural Heritage (TCCH) from both sides of the divide, connected to both of the island’s main communities.
At this moment the website only includes some cultural heritage monuments, and new information for more sites is expected to be added gradually.
According to a European Commission press release, the website will include virtual tours featuring cultural heritage sites which hold significant cultural and historical value for Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities, representing a bridge between their shared past and a foundation for building a common future.
The platform will include interactive maps, 3D reconstructions, and other multimedia elements which can be a resource for education, researchers and cultural enthusiasts among the public.
‘The Cyprus Digital Heritage website presents an opportunity to stimulate dialogue, foster understanding and connect the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities, thereby hopefully paving the way for the reunification of Cyprus’ said Kjartan Björnsson, Head of Unit for Cyprus Settlement Support at the Directorate-General Reform of the European Commission.
‘The launch of the Cyprus Digital Heritage website, featuring TCCH sites, represents a remarkable collaboration between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities’ said Jakhongir Khaydarov, UNDP Cyprus Head of Office.
Since 2012, over 123 cultural heritage sites island-wide have been conserved, structurally supported, physically protected or restored by TCCH and UNDP with the financial support from the European Union amounting to almost 25 million euro. Overall, the TCCH has received 35.6 million euro from several donors to implement its priorities for the preservation of the island-wide cultural heritage of Cyprus.
Source: Cyprus News Agency