Nicosia, 5^th May 2023 – In a project funded by the European Union (EU), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage (TCCH) are pleased to announce the completion of conservation works at the Mosque in Maroni village in Larnaca  within the framework of the “Support to cultural heritage monuments of great importance for Cyprus”.

This was marked by an event with the participation of the European Commission, members of the diplomatic community, UNDP and TCCH. 

UNDP Cyprus, Head of Office Mr. Jakhongir Khaydarov, stated that “working together, we can continue to safeguard the island's diversity for the benefit of all Cypriots” .

Mrs. Judit Rozsa, Director of Resources, Coordination and Aid Programme at DG Reform of the European Commission, highlighted that “understanding the history behind these two monuments is a vehicle to understanding Cyprus’ multicultural history, which inspires me whenever I visit Cyprus. Protecting Cyprus’ cultural heritage is not a luxury. It is a priority that sustains the hope for peaceful coexistence and the island’s reunification.”

The Mosque in Maroni village is located in the west perimeter of the village. According to written sources, the village mosque was an initiative of the residents dating back to 1892. In 2004, efforts had begun to restore the roof of the mosque and repairs were undertaken between 2005 and 2012. The conservation of the Mosque in Maroni Village commenced in July 2022 and was completed in April 2023.

Each conservation site is a reflection of the cultures behind it as well as an intersection of civilizations. Thanks to the cooperation of TCCH, UNDP and EU, the shared cultural heritage of the island continues to be preserved.

Since 2012, over 123 cultural heritage sites island-wide have been conserved, structurally supported, physically protected or restored by TCCH and UNDP with the support from the European Union with a total funding of €24.915 million. The TCCH has received €35.6 million invested by several donors to implement the priorities of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage for the preservation of the island-wide cultural heritage of Cyprus.

For further information and media enquiries please contact UNDP at: 

Gulten Inan, Communications Assistant

E-mail: gulten.inan@undp.org

Tel: +357 99 061560/ +90 5488684603

Eleni Panayiotou, Communications Associate

E-mail: eleni.panayiotou@undp.org

Tel: +357 99 368879/ +90 5488684602

European Union 

The Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community, based on Council Regulation 389/2006, aims at facilitating the reunification of Cyprus by encouraging the economic development of the Turkish Cypriot community, with particular emphasis on the economic integration of the island, on improving contacts between the two communities and with the EU, and on preparation for the EU body of laws (also referred to as acquis communautaire).

For more information please visit:             
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/overview-funding-programmes/aid-programme-turkish-cypriot-community_en

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United Nations Development Programme

UNDP aims to contribute and support the peace-building process in Cyprus and to enhance cooperation between the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriot by implementing a range of confidence building measures.

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