Brussels: A digital exhibition titled "Cyprus Insula - History, Memory, Reality" is currently captivating audiences in Brussels, offering an immersive journey through Cyprus's extensive history. This exhibition, hosted at Gare Maritime in Tour and Taxis, runs until May 24 and is part of Cyprus's EU Council Presidency. It utilizes advanced technologies to bridge the island's historical past with its contemporary identity.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Yannis Toumazis, the Director of the Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation, shared insights into the exhibition's intent, explaining that it transports visitors from Cyprus's geological formation through its mountainous terrains to future prospects. The exhibition emphasizes the development of Cypriot identity over centuries of intricate historical events.
The exhibition unfolds in five acts, beginning with 'The People of Cyprus,' which highlights the artistry of Cypriot craftsmen in shaping human forms using stone, clay, and marble, while also delving into the island's geomorphology. Toumazis pointed out that this segment reveals the natural landscape that has significantly influenced Cyprus's cultural identity.
The second act, 'Unified Cypriot Insularity,' offers an exploration of Cyprus's geography and architecture through 3D digital technologies, showcasing significant monuments and landscapes. In the 'Modernity' act, the exhibition covers the period from 1960 to 1974, spotlighting Famagusta's cultural and economic rise and providing an interactive look at Nicosia International Airport, described by Toumazis as a landmark of its era.
'The Difficult Years,' the fourth act, presents a 29-minute dramatized documentary chronicling Cyprus's history from the late 1950s up to the 1974 invasion. Toumazis regards this segment as the exhibition's core, offering a poignant understanding of modern Cypriot history to both locals and international visitors. The concluding act, 'Reflections on the Future,' provokes contemplation on Cyprus's historical trauma and its future prospects, posing significant questions on how the island's past can inform its future trajectory.