Rome: President Nikos Christodoulides and Italy's President Sergio Mattarella inaugurated an archaeological exhibition on Friday, highlighting the shared cultural identity of Cyprus and Italy. This event, held at Castel Sant'Angelo in Rome, is part of the Cultural Programme of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2026.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the exhibition, titled 'Cyprus and Italy: Shared Cultural Identities at the Dawn of History', features 120 archaeological objects that illustrate the shared heritage of Cyprus, Sicily, and Sardinia. Curator Dr. Anastasia Christofilopoulou emphasized in her speech that the exhibition celebrates over 11,000 years of cultural history and the long-term cultural relations between Italy and Cyprus.
Dr. Christofilopoulou explained that the exhibition offers a journey through time and across the Mediterranean Sea, showcasing how the largest Mediterranean islands were vibrant hubs of innovation and exchange. She noted the significant roles of Cyprus, Sardinia, and Sicily in challenging mainland-focused histories and highlighted the extensive maritime trade routes and shared metallurgical practices that connected these regions.
The exhibition also brings together diverse archaeological artifacts for the first time, including figurines, tools, and monumental objects. These pieces represent fertility, divinity, and daily life, reflecting the interconnectedness of Mediterranean societies from the Neolithic times to the Late Roman period.
Luca Mercuri, the museum's director, noted that the exhibition narrates the deep historical connections between Cyprus and Italy, emphasizing trade and exchange networks that linked territories from the earliest stages of history.
According to a press release by the Secretariat of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU 2026, a standout exhibit is an oxhide-shaped copper ingot from the Serra Ilixi area in Sardinia, made of Cypriot copper. This artifact, dating back to approximately 1500-1200 BC, underscores the technological exchange during the Bronze Age and the extent of trade between Cyprus and Italy.
The ceremony was attended by Cyprus' Deputy Minister of Culture Vasiliki Kassianidou, Italian European Commissioner Raffaele Fitto, and Italian Minister of Culture Alessandro Giuli. Following the inauguration, President Christodoulides and President Mattarella, along with other dignitaries, toured the exhibition.
Organized by the Deputy Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Cyprus and the Ministry of Culture of Italy, the exhibition will be open to the public until June 30, 2026.