Nicosia: For the Deputy Ministry of Culture, supporting Cypriot art and the people who create and serve it is an essential responsibility, Deputy Minister of Culture, Dr. Vasiliki Kassianidou said in her address at the inauguration on Thursday evening of the exhibition 'Agropoetics: soils/bodies' at the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the exhibition is organized by the Deputy Ministry of Culture as part of the Cultural Programme of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2026, marking it as the largest event of the Cultural Programme of the Presidency held in Cyprus. Dr. Kassianidou emphasized that this exhibition underscores the dynamics of modern and contemporary Cypriot art at a moment of significant importance for the country.
The exhibition, curated by Dr. Elena Parpa, explores the relationship with the landscape, place, and soil through a unique ecological and social lens amidst ongoing environmental, social, and geopolitical changes. Dr. Kassianidou noted that the works, rooted in the Cypriot experience yet connected to wider European issues, create a crucial space for reflection and encourage rethinking relationships with nature, place, and history towards a more responsible and sensitive approach.
The exhibition features works and artists from various time periods, generations, and artistic approaches, showcasing the rich history and diverse range of art in Cyprus. This juxtaposition makes visible the multifaceted character and dynamics of Cypriot artistic creation, from historical references to contemporary explorations of nature, landscape, identity, and habitation.
Dr. Kassianidou highlighted the Deputy Ministry of Culture's focus on establishing and effectively operating a state art museum in Cyprus. She detailed that the Council of Ministers has appointed an Advisory Committee working closely with the Department of Contemporary Culture to set up a strategic plan for this project. The exhibition serves as the kickoff of the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art's operations in one of its future homes, marking an initial step toward realizing the vision for a state art museum.
The Deputy Minister described contemporary Cypriot art as one of the most vibrant and dynamic areas of Cyprus's cultural creation. She expressed a vision for the new museum to become a thriving cultural hub, a meeting place for creators and audiences, and a lab for ideas and artistic experimentation. The museum aims to foster cultural dialogue and enhance Cyprus's cultural identity through exhibitions, international collaborations, research, and educational activities.
She also pointed out that culture is central to the activities of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union, serving not only as a reflection of cultural heritage and contemporary artistic creation but also as a platform for dialogue, understanding, and shaping a common European identity.
Dr. Kassianidou reiterated the Deputy Ministry's commitment to supporting Cypriot art and artists, emphasizing a holistic strategy aimed at promoting Cyprus as a regional cultural center and boosting the presence of Cypriot culture domestically and internationally. She expressed hope that the exhibition will be an opportunity for reflection, dialogue, and meaningful engagement with Cyprus and its narratives, highlighting art's power to connect people and the world they share.