Nicosia: The Deputy Minister of Culture, Vasiliki Kassianidou, held a press conference to outline the Ministry's accomplishments for 2025 and its objectives and plans for 2026. She highlighted two major ongoing projects: the Museum of Modern Art and the Cyprus Library.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Kassianidou revealed efforts to house the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art at the State Fair pavilion. A curator position is set to be announced soon. Simultaneously, the Ministry is working on a suitable location for the Cyprus Library, while construction of the new Cyprus Archaeological Museum is ongoing. An advisory committee has developed a strategic plan to be submitted to the Council of Ministers.
The Deputy Minister also mentioned the Ministry's sponsorship programs, overseen by the Department of Contemporary Culture. The 'CULTURE II' Programme (2021-2025), with a budget of £2.2 million, supported 159 organizations, 25 groups, and 153 individuals across various artistic sectors.
In 2025, the THEMELI Scheme granted £1.56 million to 34 theatrical productions. Additionally, 82 films, including feature films, short films, documentaries, and minority co-production films, received funding, and grants were given to 22 visual artists.
Kassianidou noted that the Decentralisation programme supported 22 productions in 53 communities, providing a total grant of £287,000 to bring performances to rural areas. A total of £2.33 million was allocated to festivals and events to boost cultural creation in Cyprus.
Addressing the housing of the Cyprus Library, Kassianidou stated that constructing a permanent building remains a goal. Meanwhile, a viability study will commence, and efforts to find a temporary building continue despite procedural challenges.
The Cyprus Handicrafts Service is renovating its ceramics and basketry workshops and upgrading its cafeteria and surrounding areas. The service's main entrance and shop renovation are complete, and the renovated shop is operational.
To enhance visitor experiences at Cyprus's monuments and archaeological sites, a new website with digital guides for ten significant archaeological sites has been launched.
Kassianidou described the approval of a Norway Grants application for the digital cataloguing of the State Collection of Works of Art as a notable success for 2025, marking a significant step in preserving Cyprus's contemporary artistic heritage.
Looking ahead to 2026, Kassianidou emphasized the Cultural Programme of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union, set for the first half of the year with a budget exceeding £4.5 million. The programme aims to promote Cyprus's cultural heritage and contemporary art on the international stage.
Kassianidou concluded by affirming the dedication of the Ministry's staff to actions and initiatives that enhance Cyprus's cultural identity and establish it as a cultural reference point globally.