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“As EMU, We Care About Our Country’s Cultural Heritage and Are Ready to Provide Support”

Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) Rector’s Office released a statement about a fire that broke out at St. Hilarion Castle. The statement reads as follows:

"Cultural heritage is the symbol and the most beautiful proof of the continuity of the identity of humanity, societies and the cultural groups that form them. The immovable cultural architectural heritage is one of the most important building blocks of the cultural heritage. In this context, the fire that occurred in St. Hilarion Castle, one of the most important symbols of our island as well as the World Cultural Heritage, caused deep sorrow in our university. As the EMU Family, we send our deepest sympathies to all Cypriots. We would also like to express our gratitude to all the officials who worked with great devotion during the fire that occurred last night.

From the Middle Ages to the present day, St. Hilarion Castle has not only been a distinguished structure for our island, but also an important cultural heritage element that symbolizes the culture and history of the Mediterranean world. Our institution, which has scientists who have significant experience and accumulation of scientific studies in the protection and research of archaeological-historical structures in our country, wishes to use its knowledge and experience for the benefit of the society, if requested. The start of scientific restoration and conservation work in St Hilarion Castle as soon as possible is of particular importance not only for us but also for future generations for the sustainable development of our island and its development in a structure integrated with the society. We propose that coordination studies be initiated so that scientists and experts in the field come together within the Department of Antiquities and Museums in order to start the scientific restoration work as soon as possible.

Care should be taken in restoration and conservation work, which should be carried out in accordance with the regulations of the International Council of Monuments and Sites. In this context, the conservation, preventive conservation and restoration works of the architectural heritage necessitate work that can be achieved by bringing together different disciplines. Restoration and conservation work should be handled in an integrated framework in accordance with international conservation and construction criteria. Efforts for the restoration and protection of Hilarion Castle should be carried out with the implementation of high level standards that adopt the value and quality of this cultural property. We underline our sensitivity in this matter and declare that we are ready to provide the necessary support, if requested, with our academicians, who possess the relevant qualifications.