Contracts to start conservation works in the church of Archangel Michael, in Turkish-occupied Yialousa, were signed last. As Takis Hadjidemetriou, the Greek Cypriot Head of the bicommunal Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage, the project is implemented by the Technical Committee with funding raised by people from Yialousa, both in Cyprus and abroad.
 
The 12th century church was expanded in the end of the 18th century and according to Hadjidemetriou, it is a monument of significant importance, both for Yialousa and for Orthodoxy. He added that conservation works were necessary and urgent, after cracks emerged in the building.
 
There is a long list of self-funding projects to be implemented in the future, on the basis of an agreement between the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot side, Hadjidemetriou said, adding that co-funding will be available in some cases.
 
Moreover, the Greek Cypriot Head of the Technical Committee said that conservation works in the Church of Saints Sergios and Vakhos, in the Turkish-occupied village of Agios Sergios, in Famagusta, have also started, with EU funding.
 
Hadjidemetriou said moreover that there is no delay in restoration works in portions of Nicosia’s venetian walls that collapsed earlier this year. Procedures to start works in Moula bastion are complete and we expect that work in Quirini bastion will also start by the end of November, he added.
 
He said finally that works to support the churches of St. James and St. George, located in the Nicosia buffer zone, are also about to start. The belfry of St. James collapsed last February after heavy rainfall in the capital.

CNA - Antonios Gkildakis