It is with great pleasure that I join you today with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus and the Deputy Minister for European Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus in Brussels at this remarkable exhibition – a project that invites us to view Cyprus through the lasting lenses of time, place and people.

This travelling exhibition, adapted from the major presentation currently being hosted at the Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation in Lefkosia and curated by Dr Yiannis Toumazis and Ms Demetra Ignatiou, was commissioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus as a flagship cultural milestone of Cyprus’ Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU), reflecting over four decades of the Foundation’s invaluable cultural contribution to our island.

“Cyprus Insula” provides a unique opportunity to bring the story of Cyprus to audiences around the world. The very word “Insula” (island) reminds us that while our geography is defined by the sea, our history has never been one of isolation. Instead, Cyprus has always been a vibrant crossroads – a European bridge to the Eastern Mediterranean and the greater Middle East.

Through cutting-edge digital storytelling and immersive interpretation, this adaptation gracefully translates our island’s material heritage into a modern, universal language. It carries us on a journey through the layered history, memories and lived experiences that continue to shape the social, cultural and political realities of Cyprus across generations, including the 1974 Turkish illegal invasion, detailing the trauma, memories and profound shifts in our island’s societal and geographic landscape.

At the same time, the exhibition also brings into focus coexistence, identity and belonging – values that connect people across cultures and generations, far beyond the Mediterranean shores of Cyprus.

Rather than following a conventional historical narrative, this exhibition highlights the profound encounters that have shaped our island over millennia. It portrays Cyprus as a place where cultures have crossed paths and flourished, while also acknowledging, with raw honesty, the complex challenges and divisions that have left an imprint on our collective memory. At its core, it reminds us that understanding our past is essential to understanding who we are today and to shaping a future of peace, without foreign occupation or division.

In this regard, I sincerely hope that this experience will not only allow you to discover Cyprus through its history, but also prompt reflection on how shared human experiences and cultures bind us together across time and place.

As we reflect on the core vision of the Cyprus Presidency – we are two weeks away from the completion of our presidency, a successful presidency – to foster an “Autonomous Union, Open to the World”, these cultural bonds resonate more deeply than ever. The story of Cyprus, an island of synthesis, endurance, and dialogue, mirrors the very essence of the European project. It reinforces the values that unite us, and the common purpose we share within an EU that is truly united in its diversity.

Thank you all for your presence, and I invite you to step into the world of “Cyprus Insula”.