Eastern Mediterranean University Architecture Faculty and Center for Cyprus Studies (EMU-CCS) celebrated ‘World Cultural Heritage Day” through a series of organisations. Celebrated worldwide under the title of World Heritage Day by the International Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) on 18 April, the event is also known as International Monuments and Sites Day. The aim of the International Day for Monuments and Sites is to encourage local communities and individuals throughout the world to consider the importance of cultural heritage to their lives, identities and communities, and to promote awareness of its diversity and vulnerability and the efforts required to protect and conserve it.
In this respect, Eastern Mediterranean University Faculty of Architecture and Center for Cyprus Studies (EMU CCS) has been marking the importance of the said day through an array of joint organisations since 2011.
Two Important Seminars
Titled ‘World Heritage Day: Global Challenges and Local Solutions”, the first seminar jointly organised by Eastern Mediterranean University Architecture Faculty, EMU CCS and EMU Urban Research and Development Center was delivered by the Head of UNESCO Chair in Management and Promotion of World Heritage Sites – New Media and Community Involvement at Kadir Has University, and member of ICOMOS and EUROPA NOSTRA Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yonca Kösebay Erkan.
Delivered by AESOP Member Dr. Gizem Caner, the second seminar in EMU took place under the theme of “A Historical Look at the Spatial Division of Nicosia”.
Nicosia, Famagusta and Kyrenia Municipalities’ Support
Along with the seminars, Nicosia, Famagusta and Kyrenia municipalities put up pennants and banners on important spots of the said cities to raise awareness regarding the protection of the elements of cultural heritage.
European Federation of Cultural Heritage Associations’ Support
Another meaningful activity was the symposium on 'Winners of EU Prize for Cultural Heritage/ Europa Nostra Awards from Cyprus’, which took place at the Armenian Monastery at the Arabahment District of Nicosia.
Known as the voice of Cultural Heritage in Europe, EUROPA NOSTRA represents a rapidly growing citizens’ movement for the safeguarding of Europe’s cultural and natural heritage. Established as a bi-communal initiative, Europa Nostra Cyprus organised its first event on 18 April World Heritage Day. Entitled 'Winners of EU Prize for Cultural Heritage/ Europa Nostra Awards from Cyprus', the organisation took place with the participation of a large group of Turkish and Greek Cypriots at the Armenian Monastery located at the Arabahmet District of Nicosia. During the symposium, 9 award-winning projects were presented. As part of the same organisation, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yonca Kösebay Erkan delivered a seminar entitled ‘Community Involvement in Cultural Heritage Conservation through EU Prize for Cultural Heritage/Europa Nostra’.
