Preservation of cultural heritage ‘is govt’s goal’

The preservation of cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible, is the government’s “strategic goal”, Migration Deputy Minister Nicholas Ioannides said on Sunday.

Speaking at the Klirou cultural festival in the Nicosia district village, he said, “this goal is not only about the protection and highlighting of our cultural heritage, but also the parallel promotion of the development of tourism, but also strengthening individuals’ role and identity.”

He then called for the creation of an “institutional mechanism for the protection and promotion of our cultural heritage”.

He also made reference to the participation of municipalities and villages in exile in the festival, saying their presence “offers a unique opportunity for people to get to know the rich traditions of the whole of Cyprus”.

He added that “preserving the memory of our occupied land is a duty and a necessary condition for the peaceful resolution of the Cyprus problem.”

“The protection of intangible heritage is a foundation stone for the preservation of cultural diversity, while understanding the cultural heritage of different communities enhances intercultural dialogue and encourages mutual respect for different ways of life,” he said.

He then added, “at the same time, it enriches the knowledge and skills which are passed on through culture from generation to generation.”