A look at the island’s history
Nicosia has welcomed a new exhibition that captures life in Cyprus from antiquity to today. Split into five acts, the Cyprus Insula History – Memory – Reality exhibition at the Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation is staged to mark the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion and conveys the unwavering message of the insularity of Cyprus, in a contemporary and interactive way.
The exhibition will run until June 2025. Under the curatorial direction of Yiannis Toumazis and Demetra Ignatiou, the exhibition examines the historically unified cultural character of Cyprus, which combines elements from the island’s rich, complex and multifaceted historical past.
Centred around the notions of time, place and people, the exhibition fosters associations and narratives, showcasing aspects of the history and contemporary reality of Cyprus that have contributed to the forging of its inherent insular identity.
The exhibition takes its name from Codex 655, Ptolemy’s Geography (late 13th-early 14th century), which features the earliest known cartographic depiction of Cyprus, by Claudius Ptolemy in the 2nd century AD. This valuable exhibit, presented for the first time in Cyprus, has been made available for the exhibition by the Monastery of Vatopedi at Mount Athos.
Part of the exhibition is dedicated to the ‘difficult years’ of the Republic of Cyprus, from 1963-1964 to the aftermath of the Turkish invasion in 1974. Through a specially-designed immersive experience, viewers will have the opportunity to become acquainted with defining events of the recent history of Cyprus.
Modern and interactive technologies have been used for the design and presentation of the exhibition. Material from the Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation’s collections, as well as selected exhibits from significant public and private collections, are combined to create compelling narratives and itineraries, with the aim of targeting all ages. Featured exhibits include antiquities, folk art, contemporary artworks, historical maps, rare publications, manuscripts and engravings, printed and digital archival material, and digital applications.
Cyprus Insula points to the foundation’s new identity, which aims to showcase its rich collections through innovative museological and museographic approaches and at making its archive accessible to the general public.
The exhibition will be accompanied by a relevant publication, as well as parallel actions and events that will be directly related to the exhibition’s theme, such as roundtable discussions, experiential and educational programmes, lectures, guided tours and presentations.
Cyprus Insula History – Memory – Reality
On occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. Until June 2025. Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation, Nicosia. Daily: 10am-7pm. Tel: 22-128157