Brussels: European Parliament hosted the inauguration of two major photography exhibitions: 'Nicosia International Airport' by Andros Efstathiou and 'Growing Self' by Maria Leonidou. The exhibitions are presented within the framework of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union, aiming to connect collective memory with a forward-looking perspective.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Deputy Minister of Culture Vasiliki Kassianidou emphasized that the two exhibitions were chosen to act as an interaction between our collective memory and the pursuit of future perspectives. She stated that through the Presidency, the Republic of Cyprus seeks to strengthen the cohesion and strategic unity of the Union, while simultaneously promoting cultural innovation and sustainable cooperation among Member States. She highlighted the special importance given to upholding and safeguarding the Union's fundamental values, particularly respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, and the rule of law.
Deputy Minister Kassianidou also underlined that, within the framework of the Cyprus Presidency, the objective is to enhance and highlight the role of culture as a pillar of European policy, linking cultural development with democratic values. She noted that, through the Committee on Cultural Affairs and the Working Group on Audiovisual Media and Mass Media, consultations will be held regarding the legal basis for the new AgoraEU funding regulation, which will replace the previous regulations for the 'Creative Europe' and 'CERV' programs, opening new avenues to strengthen mobility and cultural action across Europe.
She further stated that the Presidency will promote the new legal framework for European Capitals of Culture and the adoption of the Cultural Compass, a strategic tool intended to serve as a seed for strong cultural ecosystems in Europe's future, leveraging the opportunities created by technological progress. Moreover, Dr. Kassianidou stressed that the Presidency will actively contribute to the implementation of the European Media Freedom Act, creating a forum for exchanging views on the protection of cultural rights and combating the illegal trafficking of cultural goods, thereby ensuring a stable and fair framework for the development and protection of culture.
She emphasized that the value of culture extends beyond aesthetic or artistic expression, noting that it forms the foundation for shaping identities, preserving memory, and fostering a shared European perspective. Referring to the exhibition 'Nicosia International Airport', the Deputy Minister highlighted that Andros Efstathiou transforms the abandoned airport into a symbol of memory, resilience, and hope, showcasing the power of collective historical consciousness. Through a theatrical approach, she explained, the photographs recreate the last flight before the 1974 Turkish invasion, connecting tangible reality with memory and inviting viewers to engage in an act of reflection and self-awareness.
Regarding Maria Leonidou's 'Growing Self', Deputy Minister Kassianidou noted that the exhibition draws inspiration from the past while merging technology and imagination with contemporary identity, creating a new perspective for the future in which art acts as a form of regeneration and transformation. She pointedly stated that the two exhibitions 'dialogue with each other, as well as with Europe itself', reflecting the journey from memory to transformation, from a past that defines us to a future we are called to shape collectively.
In conclusion, she stressed that the Cyprus Presidency aims to continue this dialogue, reinforcing cultural cooperation, innovation, and the protection of cultural heritage, confirming that Europe continues to draw strength from memory while advancing toward a common future of solidarity, democracy, and culture.
Andros Efstathiou, speaking about his exhibition, explained that, as a photographer, he felt compelled to record the silent Nicosia International Airport. He added that when it was constructed in 1968, it was the jewel of modernist architecture. 'It symbolized openness, movement, and connection. In July 1974, it fell silent. Today, it is a frozen space-not between past and present, but between people,' he said. Regarding the photographs, he emphasized that the people depicted are not symbolic figures. 'They are the crew of the last flight to land at the airport in 1974, photographed in their original uniforms some 42 years later,' he noted. In closing, Efstathiou remarked that presenting this work in Brussels places our memory within a broader European context, where history, responsibility, and remembrance remain closely intertwined.