Exploring the Island’s Rich History

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Exploring the Island’s Rich History

Cyprus Insula: A Journey from Antiquity to the Present Day

By ELENI PHILIPPOU

A new exhibition in Nicosia offers a comprehensive look at life in Cyprus, spanning from ancient times to the present day. Titled Cyprus Insula: History – Memory – Reality, this exhibition at the Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion. It conveys the enduring message of Cyprus’s unique insularity through a modern and interactive lens.

Curated by Yiannis Toumazis and Demetra Ignatiou, the exhibition is open until June 2025. It delves into the historically unified cultural identity of Cyprus, reflecting its rich, intricate, and diverse historical past. By focusing on the themes of time, place, and people, the exhibition weaves narratives that highlight the history and contemporary reality of Cyprus, emphasizing the island’s inherent insular character.

Historic Foundations

The exhibition’s title, Cyprus Insula, is inspired by Codex 655 from Ptolemy’s Geography (late 13th-early 14th century). This codex includes the earliest known cartographic representation of Cyprus, created by Claudius Ptolemy in the 2nd century AD. Displayed for the first time in Cyprus, this valuable exhibit is on loan from the Monastery of Vatopedi at Mount Athos.

The ‘Difficult Years’

A significant portion of the exhibition is devoted to the ‘difficult years’ of the Republic of Cyprus, from 1963-1964 to the aftermath of the 1974 Turkish invasion. Through an immersive experience, visitors can explore key events in Cyprus’s recent history.

Modern and Interactive Display

The exhibition utilizes modern and interactive technologies for its design and presentation. It combines materials from the Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation’s collections with selected pieces from important public and private collections. This blend creates engaging narratives and pathways designed to appeal to all ages. The exhibits range from antiquities and folk art to contemporary works, historical maps, rare publications, manuscripts, engravings, and both printed and digital archival material, along with digital applications.

A New Identity for the Foundation

Cyprus Insula marks the foundation’s new identity, aiming to highlight its extensive collections through innovative museological and museographic methods, making its archive more accessible to the public.

Accompanying Events and Publications

The exhibition is complemented by a publication and various related activities, such as roundtable discussions, experiential and educational programs, lectures, guided tours, and presentations.

Visiting Information

Cyprus Insula: History – Memory – Reality

In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. The exhibition runs until June 2025 at the Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation in Nicosia. Open daily from 10 am to 7 pm. For more information, call 22-128157.