Paris: Prominent figures from the French political and cultural scene, including the French presidential couple, attended the opening of two exhibitions of antiquities and works of art in Paris, which aim to highlight Cyprus's long history, cultural wealth, and timeless European dimension.
According to Cyprus News Agency, one of these exhibitions will be hosted until June 22, 2026, at the Louvre Museum, as part of the Cultural Programme of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2026. The exhibition was inaugurated by the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, with the presence of Brigitte Macron and the Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati.
On the Cypriot side, Deputy Minister for European Affairs, Marilena Raouna, and Deputy Minister of Culture, Dr. Vasiliki Kassianidou, attended alongside Greek Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni, and Director-General of UNESCO, Khaled El-Enany. The Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU issued a statement highlighting these attendees.
The Deputy Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Cyprus collaborated with the University of Cyprus, the CYENS Centre of Excellence, and the Louvre Museum for the exhibition, involving the temporary transfer of Cypriot antiquities such as figures made of picrolite and clay votive idols from the Department of Antiquities to Paris.
In rooms 300 and 316 of the museum, the Cypriot antiquities from the permanent collection are placed alongside 16 selected ancient objects from Cyprus. The exhibition includes scientifically documented information material that places the antiquities in their historical and cultural context, as revealed by recent archaeological research.
The exhibition narrative also highlights the contribution of French archaeological missions in Cyprus. Visitors can engage with digital applications, including 3D representations, interactive screens, and augmented reality experiences, offering insights into ancient life and Cyprus's intangible cultural heritage.
The second exhibition, hosted until June 14, 2026, at the National Library of France, was inaugurated by President Christodoulides in an event attended by French President Emmanuel Macron. This marks the first collaboration of the National Library of France with a foreign institution.
Co-curated by the Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation, with curators Dr. Gilles Pecou from France and Dr. Yiannis Toumazis from Cyprus, the exhibition includes antiquities, manuscripts, drawings, engravings, and archival documents narrating Cyprus's history from antiquity to modern times, and its ties with France and Europe.
Works of Louis-Fran§ois Cassas and post-Byzantine icons of the 17th-18th centuries highlight the Orthodox Byzantine tradition's importance on the island. The Cypriot collections of the National Library of France, featuring the world's largest collection of manuscripts, along with coins, maps, archaeological artefacts, and 19th-century artworks, emphasize the continuity and appeal of Cyprus's cultural identity.