Nicosia: Our goal is a culture open to all, the new Deputy Minister of Culture, Clea Hadjistephanou Papaellina said, during the handover ceremony, on Thursday, at the Deputy Ministry of Culture, in Nicosia. Papaellina thanked the President of the Republic for his trust in her, noting that "culture is the foundation of the identity, history and creative perspective of our country and it is a special honour to be called to serve this very important sector".
According to Cyprus News Agency, Papaellina expressed her gratitude to the outgoing Deputy Minister, Vasiliki Kassianidou, for her dedication and contributions during her tenure. She emphasized that every effort to strengthen culture, support creative individuals, and highlight cultural heritage is a valuable legacy for the future. The new Deputy Minister underscored that this transition builds on previous achievements, marking the continuation of a collective effort aimed at producing results through vision, consistency, and cooperation.
Papaellina reiterated that culture is the expression of the soul of people, serving as a bridge connecting the past, present, and future, and fostering creativity, dialogue, and societal cohesion. She highlighted that their goal is a culture accessible to all, supporting artistic expression, cultural heritage, and creating opportunities for new generations to express themselves and participate actively.
The new Deputy Minister also emphasized culture's role in promoting Cyprus internationally, asserting that the protection and promotion of the country's culture is vital for the national survival of Cyprus. She called for collaboration among creators, artists, cultural institutions, local governments, the academic community, and all entities serving culture to work together with trust and a shared vision.
Clea Hadjistephanou Papaellina committed to serving this mission with responsibility, transparency, diligence, and respect. She expressed confidence that through collective effort, they could enhance the role of culture in society and create conditions for Cyprus's cultural creation to continue inspiring, evolving, and gaining distinction.
The outgoing Deputy Minister, Vasiliki Kassianidou, thanked the President of the Republic of Cyprus for his trust and acknowledged her colleagues and the Deputy Ministry staff. She reflected on her tenure, highlighting the establishment of stronger structures, a clear strategy, and prospects for the future of the Deputy Ministry of Culture.
Kassianidou underscored priorities such as supporting contemporary creation, promoting creators' work, protecting cultural heritage, strengthening cultural education, and promoting Cyprus internationally. She noted the construction of the new Cyprus Archaeological Museum and other projects as significant achievements during her term, alongside international collaborations to combat illegal cultural goods trafficking.
She emphasized the importance of cultural education through programs like "Schools Ambassadors of Culture - Children Ambassadors of Culture," aimed at fostering active citizenship and a deeper understanding of Cyprus's history. Kassianidou concluded by expressing hope for increased financial support for culture and wished success to her successor, Clea Hadjistephanou Papaellina, in continuing to elevate culture's role in Cyprus's development and European integration.