Famagusta: The area of the remains of the Church of Saint George of the Latins in Famagusta was revived during an emotional ceremony held on Wednesday, accompanied by the sounds of Cypriot songs and attended by dozens of people who worked on its restoration. Simultaneously, in Larnaca, the handover ceremony of the Tuzla Mosque took place, symbolizing unity and respect for Cyprus’ multicultural identity.
According to Cyprus News Agency, these two historic monuments, projects of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage, were carried out by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with funding from the European Union and the ALIPH Foundation, based in Geneva. The ceremony for the Church of Saint George of the Latins was held under the shade of trees, providing some relief from the hot July sun, while dozens of Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, diplomats, officials, and workers who contributed to the restoration gathered to honor this significant step in the revival of their cultural heritage.
ALIPH (International Alliance for the Protection of Cultural Heritage) Executive Director, Valery Freland, speaking on behalf of Bariza Khiari, chair of the ALIPH foundation, expressed great emotion and deep pride in inaugurating the landmark heritage preservation project. Freland noted these were the first projects undertaken by the foundation in Cyprus and praised the Technical Committee for Cultural Heritage as a model of dialogue for peace.
On behalf of the European Commission, Head of Section Jutta Pomoell-Segurola celebrated the completion of the restoration works and emphasized the cultural richness and diversity of Cyprus. She highlighted the importance of restoring these monuments as a means to bring peace and stability to the island.
UNDP head of Office, Jakhongir Khaydarov, acknowledged the successful completion of these two monuments as a result of strong partnerships. He thanked ALIPH for its generous support and the EU for its consistent commitment to the work of the Technical Committee.
Sotos Ktoris, the Greek Cypriot Co-Chair of the Technical Committee, remarked that the restoration of these sites reminds us of Cyprus’ historical role as a crossroads of civilizations, shaping a shared cultural heritage. He emphasized that these monuments serve as symbols of reconciliation and a peaceful future.
Ali Tuncay, Turkish Cypriot Co-Chair, highlighted ALIPH’s support for preserving the St. George of the Latins Church and the Tuzla Mosque as a reflection of its mission to safeguard cultural heritage in complex regions. He underscored the role of heritage as a powerful connector between people, fostering long-term peace and cooperation in Cyprus.
During the event, engineers Angelos Smagas and Hakan Gokberk provided insights into the restoration project. Traditional Cypriot songs performed by Andreas Smagas and Andriani Kyprianou enhanced the atmosphere, fostering a sense of collective heritage and hope.
The unveiling of the plaque in the church’s entrance showcased Gothic architecture from the late 13th century. In Famagusta, there were two churches dedicated to Saint George: one Greek Orthodox and the other Latin Catholic.
In Larnaca, during the Tuzla Mosque handover, Ktoris emphasized the monuments’ role as a legacy highlighting Cyprus’ historical journey. He called on everyone to view these monuments as bridges of understanding and reconciliation.
Tuncay described the Tuzla Mosque as a vital monument for both Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots, noting its historical transformations from a basilica to a Gothic church. He expressed hope that the joint restoration efforts would contribute to peaceful relations between the communities.