Brussels: The inauguration of the exhibition entitled 'Weather' of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU took place on Monday at the Council's main building, Justus Lipsius, in Brussels. The exhibition is curated by and inspired by the renowned Cypriot designer Michael Anastassiades.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Deputy Minister of Culture, Vasiliki Kassianidou, described the assumption of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union as a historic moment for Cyprus, noting that culture emerges as a vital tool for political cohesion and as the most significant expression of the shared European identity. She stated that culture constitutes the cornerstone for shaping identities, preserving memory, and creating a contemporary European vision.
The Deputy Minister emphasized that the Presidency is anchored to a vision of a European Union that is stronger, more resilient, socially cohesive, and strategically autonomous. She underlined that culture holds a central place in the Cyprus Presidency and that the Deputy Ministry of Culture has undertaken the important task of designing a cultural program as an integral part of the overall strategy for an ambitious and meaningful Presidency. Cyprus affirms culture as a vital medium for dialogue, capable of accommodating complexity, embracing movement, and opening pathways for cooperation, solidarity, and a renewed perspective within the European project.
Kassianidou explained that part of the mandate of the Cyprus Presidency is the enhancement of the Justus Lipsius building and the neighboring Europa building, transforming the administrative headquarters of the EU Council into a space for cultural exchange, reflection, and artistic expression. She expressed her pleasure in inaugurating the Exhibition of the Cyprus Presidency, curated by the internationally acclaimed Cypriot designer Michael Anastassiades.
Referring to Anastassiades, the Deputy Minister noted that he founded his studio in London in 1994, aiming to explore contemporary notions of culture and aesthetics through a combination of product, furniture, and spatial design. In 2007, he established Michael Anastassiades and Company to produce his signature works, including lighting, furniture, jewelry, and everyday objects. His works are included in the distinguished collections of several museums, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
Kassianidou further noted Anastassiades was awarded the title of OBE by King Charles III in 2024 for his services to design, and in 2025 received the London Design Medal for outstanding and sustained excellence in the field of design. His principles, based on the belief that quality lies in subtle detail rather than overt spectacle, are embodied in his curatorial vision for the Cyprus EU Presidency in 2026.
The Deputy Minister highlighted that Cyprus, located at the crossroads of three continents, brings to the Presidency a perspective shaped by the duality and convergence of land and sea, by continuity in movement, center, and passage. Referring to the exhibition, she stated that it is deeply influenced by the island's geography and millennia-old history and is articulated by the curator through the theme of weather-not merely as climate, but as a living system through which time, culture, and exchange continually pass.
She explained that the Cyprus exhibition reflects the Presidency's ambition to identify moments of connection, attentiveness, and opportunity within a complex and multi-layered European landscape. The work proposes an enthusiasm for Europe that invites the gaze to turn back towards the island, recognizing its role both as a place of arrival and return and as a bridge between Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa.
She warmly thanked Michael Anastassiades, as well as Kleio Hadjigeorgiou, Penelope Ioannou, Stelios Kalinikou, Ioanna Louca, Marietta Mavrokordatou, and Poly Peslika, who collaborated with him to create this artistic intervention in the heart of Brussels and the European Council, capturing with clarity the spirit, depth, and beauty of Cyprus and its Presidency.
On her part, the Secretary-General of the Council, Th©r¨se Blanchet, noted that it is a long-standing tradition to offer each Presidency space within the Council buildings to present an artistic concept reflecting its vision for the following six months, the vision of the country, and its outlook on the world around us. She pointed out that the journey of the Cyprus Presidency began only a few weeks ago, 'even though it may already feel longer'. In closing, she warmly thanked the Deputy Minister and wished every success to the Cyprus Presidency.