Category: Cyprus News Agency

FOR THE PERIOD FROM 1200 28/05/2026 UNTIL 1200 29/05/2026

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1010hPa (hectopascal)

An unstable air mass is affecting the area. Local showers and a thunderstorm are expected, mainly east part.

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The 30 winners of the 2026 European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards, the highest heritage accolade in Europe, were celebrated Thursday evening during a high-profile event held at the Nicosia Municipal Theatre.

On behalf of the European Commission, Costas Kadis, Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, took part in the European Heritage Awards Ceremony, and Glenn Micallef, Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, conveyed a congratulatory video message to the winners. The Ceremony was attended by President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, the Deputy Minister of Culture of Cyprus, Dr. Vasiliki Kassianidou, Prof. Dr. Hermann Parzinger, Executive President of Europa Nostra, and other distinguished guests.

According to the organisers, the Awards Ceremony gathered some 500 heritage professionals, volunteers, enthusiasts and supporters from across Europe and beyond. Organised by Europa Nostra – the leading European heritage civil society network – and co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union, the Awards Ceremony was the largest event of the European Cultural Heritage Summit 2026, which is being held from 26 to 30 May in Nicosia under the patronage of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU.

The European Commission and Europa Nostra presented five laureates with the Grand Prix and one winner with the Public Choice Award for 2026 – all of which received a monetary award of pound 10,000. The Grand Prix winners were selected from among this year’s winners by the Board of Europa Nostra, based on the recommendation of an independent jury of experts.

The five laureates of the Grand Prix 2026 are:

Polirone Monastic Complex, San Benedetto Po, ITALY – Grand Prix winner in the category Conservation and Adaptive Reuse

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The press release says that this iconic heritage landmark of Northern Italy was in serious decline in the early 2000s. Following the earthquake of 2012, which caused structural damage, the Polirone Monastic Complex was listed among Europe’s 7 Most Endangered heritage sites in 2013. The restoration of the complex unfolded as a long-term and holistic process that gradually brought the site back to life.

‘Led by the Municipality of San Benedetto Po, which successfully secured funding and played a pivotal role throughout, the project went beyond mere renovation; it preserved the site’s authenticity and identity while safeguarding its enduring ‘genius loci’ for future generations,’ highlighted the Board of Europa Nostra.

The Cypriot Fiddler, CYPRUS – Grand Prix winner in the category Research

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The Cypriot Fiddler is a long-term ethnographic research project dedicated to documenting the intangible heritage of traditional musicians in Cyprus. It stands as a testament to a fragile intangible heritage, at risk of disappearing due to the advanced age of its practitioners and the inherently oral nature of its transmission.

‘The Cypriot Fiddler highlights the unifying power of music as a bridge across geographic, historical and cultural divides, with a special focus on fostering connections between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot musicians. Thanks to the outstanding expertise and dedication of Dr. Nicoletta Dimitriou, this oral tradition has been carefully documented and preserved,’ emphasised the Board of Europa Nostra.

Improving the Energy Performance of Heritage Properties in State Care Initiative, IRELAND – Grand Prix winner in the category Education, Training and Skills

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The Office of Public Works in Ireland developed practical guidance and a technical training programme to help public authorities improve the energy performance of historic buildings without compromising their heritage value.

‘This initiative conveys a truly impactful message, demonstrating what can be achieved through climate-focused approaches in the cultural heritage sector, while establishing clear methodologies and training frameworks that are both replicable and transferable. Cultural heritage values and climate action go hand in hand, paving the way towards a sustainable future,’ noted the Board of Europa Nostra.

Din l-Art Helwa – The National Trust for Malta, Valletta, MALTA – Grand Prix winner in the category Heritage Champions

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Throughout 60 years, Din l-Art Helwa has demonstrated unwavering civil society dedication and effective commitment to safeguarding and celebrating cultural and natural heritage in Malta.

‘In the face of growing pressures from climate change, overtourism and the high-impact development on the built environment, the values-based and volunteer-driven organisation has consistently addressed complex challenges for the benefit of all. Din l-Art Helwa stands today as a European and international reference for sensitive resilience and responsible stewardship in the field of heritage,’ underlined the Board of Europa Nostra.

Maryna Hrytsenko †, Chernihiv, UKRAINE (Posthumous Award) – Grand Prix winner in the category Heritage Champions

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Maryna Hrytsenko (1986-2025) was a most dedicated chief custodian of the Galagan Art Museum in Chernihiv, Ukraine. At the start of the war in 2022, she singlehandedly dismantled the museum’s exhibitions and safeguarded over 17,000 objects. In 2023, she joined the army as a paramedic and was killed in 2025.

‘Maryna Hrytsenko demonstrated an exceptional and steadfast commitment to preserving and documenting the heritage in Ukraine endangered by war. Through her brave and tireless efforts to save cultural objects under attack, she stands as a symbol of the broader community of Ukrainians who have chosen to mobilise in support of the endangered cultural heritage in Ukraine in times of massive adversity,’ highlighted the Board of Europa Nostra.

The winner of the Public Choice Award 2026 is the restoration project of Bánffy Castle, Rascruci, ROMANIA.

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Completed in 2023, the restoration has allowed the castle and park to reopen to local residents, visitors and specialists – with public events and educational activities taking place on site. This remarkable project raised the largest number of votes, cast via an online poll with the participation of some 10,000 citizens from across Europe.

Prof. Dr. Hermann Parzinger, Executive President of Europa Nostra, stated that ‘the outstanding projects and people honoured this evening in Nicosia remind us that heritage lies at the heart of Europe’s identity and society”.

“Coming from 18 countries across the continent, the winners of the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards 2026 demonstrate the power of heritage to shape more inclusive, sustainable and resilient communities. We applaud and admire all winners of our Awards, with special emphasis on the laureates of the Grand Prix and the winner of the Public Choice Award. They are an excellent source of inspiration for heritage professionals and volunteers throughout Europe and beyond” he concluded.

The press release says that the European Heritage Awards Ceremony was a highlight of the European Cultural Heritage Summit 2026, taking place from 26 to 30 May in the capital city of Cyprus.

Under the motto ‘Heritage as the Soul of Mare Nostrum’, the Summit in Nicosia has underscored the (geo)political, societal and environmental relevance of heritage for Europe and the wider Mediterranean region. The Summit, organised by Europa Nostra with the Europa Nostra Heritage Hub in Nicosia, is co-funded by the European Union and made possible thanks to many partners and supporters, it concludes.

The Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU aims to complete the negotiations and the signature of the joint declaration ‘Europe for Culture, Culture for Europe’, the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides said on Thursday evening, addressing the European Heritage Awards, held in Nicosia Municipal Theater.

President Christodoulides highlighted the Presidency’s priorities regarding culture and noted that it has prioritised the protection of cultural rights and cultural heritage with a particular focus on combating the illicit trafficking of cultural goods.

‘A key highlight of our Presidency has been the agreement on a partial general approach on the Agora EU regulation, marking a very important milestone’, he noted, stressing that this outcome confirms member states’ shared commitment to strengthening support for culture, media and civil society as a strategic pillar for Europe’s resilience and democratic vitality.

He also added that, during Cyprus’ Presidency, ‘we also aim to complete the negotiations and the signature of the joint declaration Europe for culture, culture for Europe.’

President Christodoulides noted that Cyprus has always been a timeless crossroad of civilizations and a bridge between European Union and the region. ‘We deeply value the role of culture as a universal language, one that transcends nations and connects citizens of different member states,’ he said.

The President noted that this cultural dimension, complements and reflects the Presidency’s political priorities and core themes. ‘We have had the unique opportunity to convey our messages to a much broader audience through the diverse pathways of culture in all its forms, and expressions. It is a celebration of the values that unite us as Europeans, strengthening our bonds and reaffirming our shared European identity,’ he pointed out.

Since Cyprus joined the EU in 2004, it has grown into a reliable and constructive member state within the Union and its immediate neighborhood, the Eastern Mediterranean and the greater Middle East, always fully committed to the European project, the President continued. ‘Our Presidency builds on this commitment, maturity and experience in contributing to European policies and decisions,’ he said, highlighting that since day one, Cyprus’ Presidency, under the motto ‘An autonomous Union, open to the world’, has focused on delivering results on the European agenda.

He stressed that during the Presidency, Cyprus has sought to strengthen the bonds of the Union by promoting culture as an essential tool for political cohesion and by highlighting culture’s strategic role in safeguarding European Union values.

Concluding, the President said that cultural heritage and heritage values transfer through generations can serve as a bridge not just between different cultures, but also between the past, the present, and the future. ‘In 2026, cultural heritage is threatened by geopolitical tensions and ongoing armed conflicts, climate change, globalization, and even over tourism. We all share the responsibility to protect it against these threats for our children and for the future generations,’ he said.

In recorded message, Glenn Micallef, European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport noted that behind each of the projects awarded, there are people who dedicate their passion and their time to safeguard Europe’s shared heritage.

‘These people give us hope, that culture can bring people together, memory can endure’ and that the future generations will be inheriting also the values and stories that connect us as Europeans.

Nicosia’s Mayor, Charalambos Prountzos, in his opening remarks, noted that Nicosia, the last divided capital of Europe, carries the complex history of Europe. ‘Our city demonstrates the transformative power of heritage as a force of reconciliation, dialogue and hope,’ he said.

Prountzos referred to the Buffer Zone, noting that it cuts through the historic core of the city, separating the two communities. Over time, he noted, many important medieval and neoclassical buildings fell into severe decay, while others now stand on the brink of irreversible collapse. ‘This reality was documented through detailed surveys carried out by the bicommunal Nicosia Master Plan team and led to the inclusion of the historic buffer zone in the 7 most endangered programmes by Europa Nostra and the European Investment Bank Institute’.

He stressed that this recognition was not simply a warning, but a call to action, to preserve not only monuments and buildings, but also the memory, identity and shared humanity embedded within them. ‘Today, the buffer zone remains one of the greatest challenges and at the same time one of the greatest opportunities for the future of Nicosia,” Prountzos said.

“The objective is not simply conservation. It is a gradual rehabilitation and reintegration of this historic urban landscape into the city through structural stabilization projects, restoration interventions, improved crossing points, and strategic planning initiatives that can reconnect communities and create spaces of coexistence,’ he noted.

Driven by a shared vision to empower the next generation of technology and business leaders, the Future Skills Hub, the Lifelong Learning Centre of European University Cyprus, in co-organization with the Cyprus Information Technology Enterprises Association (CITEA) and in strategic partnership with NetU, has announced an exclusive online Masterclass titled ‘BRAVE. BOLD. VISIBLE. Redefining Confidence in Tech and Leadership.’

Scheduled for Monday, June 29, 2026, from 16:00 to 18:00 (EEST), the interactive webinar will be led by renowned leadership strategist Corina Taban, founder of ‘934 Leadership Advisors’ and former tech executive at Microsoft and Meta.

Unlike general workshops, this masterclass leverages behavioural science to reframe confidence as a strategic, repeatable skill. Designed specifically for women in tech, founders, and mid-to-senior leaders, it provides a practical roadmap to bridge the gap between high performance and organizational influence.

Recognizing that competence alone rarely translates into leadership visibility, this strategic partnership between the Future Skills Hub of European University Cyprus, CITEA, and NetU addresses this exact gap. By securing online access to global instructor Corina Taban, the initiative equips professionals with the behavioural tools needed to assert their authority authentically.

Key pillars of the masterclass include:

The Behavioural Model: Shifting the perception of confidence from a fixed personality trait to a learnable skill.

Closing the Visibility Gap: Analysing why high performers are frequently overlooked for strategic roles and how to correct it.

Strategic Self-Advocacy: Practical frameworks to build executive presence and boardroom influence without compromising personal authenticity.

About the Speaker: Corina Taban is a researcher, organizational behaviour expert, and former tech executive who previously led multi-million-dollar strategic content and data licensing partnerships for Microsoft and Meta internationally. Recognized as a “Next Generation Female Leader” by McKinsey, she serves as a Teaching Fellow at the Judge Business School, University of Cambridge. She is currently completing her Doctorate in Business Administration, focusing on leadership dynamics and organizational adaptation in tech-driven environments.

Registration and Participation: The masterclass will be conducted online in English. Registration is now officially open, with special pricing rates available for the European University Cyprus community, CITEA members, as well as early-bird registrants until June 7th.

Dear all,

We are pleased to invite you to our upcoming Calligraphy and Paper Cutting Workshop, in the framework of the 29th UCY Cultural Festival, an immersive experience designed to explore the techniques and principles that bridge aesthetics with discipline and creative imagination.

The Calligraphy Workshop will be held on the 7th June at 18:00 pm while the Paper-Cutting Workshop will be held on the 7th June at 19:00 pm. Participation is free but prior enrolment is required due to limited number of spaces. For more information, please refer to: Facebook event

Whether you are looking to refine your artistic skills or discover a new creative outlet, this workshop offers structured, hands-on guidance in two deeply rewarding traditional crafts.

EU member states have approved conclusions at the Competitiveness Council on the Internal Market and Industry concerning sustainable and competitive tourism, Cyprus’ Deputy Minister of Tourism, Kostas Koumis said, on Thursday, in Brussels, noting that this move sends ‘a strong political message on the strategic importance of tourism for the European economy, regional development and social cohesion’.

‘The Cyprus Presidency has just concluded the discussions at the COMPET Council in the field of tourism,’ the Deputy Minister said, while thanking the European Commission for its active participation, and particularly Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, ‘for our constructive cooperation throughout the Cyprus Presidency’.

Koumis also expressed particular satisfaction over the delivery of a key commitment of the Cyprus Presidency. ‘We approved the Council Conclusions on ‘Building a Sustainable and Competitive Tourism for the Future’, sending a strong political message on the strategic importance of tourism for the European economy, regional development and social cohesion,’ he noted. According to the Deputy Minister, the conclusions adopted are expected to guide the Commission’s upcoming EU Strategy on Sustainable Tourism and shape the future of the sector across the European continent.

At the same time, an important discussion took place regarding the impact of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East on European tourism. ‘Together with fellow Ministers, we exchanged views on how rising energy costs, supply chain disruptions and growing uncertainty are affecting the tourism sector. The discussion helped identify ways to safeguard the viability and resilience of the tourism sector at European level,’ Koumis added.

Concluding, he stressed that today’s session ‘reaffirmed our shared determination to keep Europe the world’s leading tourist destination, while ensuring that the sector becomes more sustainable, and of course more resilient’.

Meanwhile, a press release issued by the Deputy Ministry of Tourism noted that ‘the approval of the conclusions constitutes one of the flagship legacies of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the result of its own initiative’.

‘Tourism is a key driver of growth, employment and cultural exchange across the EU. Today’s conclusions chart a clear path towards ensuring the long-term resilience and competitiveness of the sector in a rapidly changing environment,’ the Deputy Minister of Tourism said following the adoption of the conclusions, according to the press release

The press release added that the conclusions place tourism at the centre of European policymaking for the sector and address balanced tourism development, tackling both over-concentration and under-visitation, while strengthening regional, island, mountainous and remote destinations, as well as year-round and sustainable connectivity, with particular recognition of island member states’ dependence on air connectivity.

It further noted that the conclusions also focus on the twin green and digital transition as drivers of competitiveness and resilience, as well as on skills development and quality jobs in the tourism sector. Finally, the conclusions address resilience and crisis preparedness, along with the multilevel governance of the tourism ecosystem.

Cyprus recorded a 10.6% share of young people aged 15 to 29 who were neither in employment nor in education or training (NEET) in 2025. This represents a significant decrease compared with 2015, when the rate stood at 18.6%.

According to data published by Eurostat on Thursday, across age groups in Cyprus, the NEET rate among young people aged 15-19 stood at 6.0% in 2025, down from 7.5% in 2015. For those aged 20-24, the rate reached 12.8%, compared with 22.2% in 2015.

Across EU age groups, the NEET rate was lowest among young people aged 15-19 at 5.3%, rising to 12.8% among those aged 20-24 and 14.7% among those aged 25-29.

At member state level, the lowest NEET rates were recorded in the Netherlands (5.3%), Sweden (5.9%) and Slovenia (7.6%). In contrast, the highest rates were observed in Romania (19.2%), Bulgaria (13.8%) and Greece (13.6%), according to Eurostat data.

The Chinese Film Week in Cyprus will open on June 10 in Nicosia, marking the International Day for Dialogue among Civilisations and the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Cyprus, officials said on Thursday during a press briefing at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Nicosia.

The Film Week, organised by the Embassy of China in Cyprus together with the China Film Administration and the Deputy Ministry of Culture, will take place from June 10 to 15 in Nicosia and Limassol. It will feature contemporary Chinese films, cultural activities and exchanges with representatives of China’s film industry.

China’s Chargé d’Affaires in Cyprus Zhou Yunliang said the event ‘carries special and far-reaching significance’, as it will promote China-Cyprus friendship and deepen exchanges between the two civilisations.

He said the development of relations between China and Cyprus over the past 55 years was ‘a vivid example of mutual learning among civilisations’, noting that the two countries, despite their geographical distance, are both ancient civilisations which have built ties on mutual respect, equality and cooperation.

‘Film is an important bridge for exchange among civilisations,’ Zhou said, adding that cinema offers audiences a window into a country’s culture, social development and the emotions of its people.

The Film Week will open at the Nicosia Municipal Theatre on June 10. Cultural activities will begin at 3.00 pm, with the support of the Confucius Institute at the University of Cyprus, followed by a youth screening of the Chinese animated film Boonie Bears: The Hidden Protector at 4.00 pm.

The opening ceremony will take place at 7.30 pm and will be followed by the premiere of the Sound of Shanghai, directed by Cypriot artist Marios Joannou Elia.

Screenings will continue in Nicosia and Limassol with films including A Table for Two, I Am What I Am, the Cantonese comedy Night King, The Shadow’s Edge, starring Jackie Chan, and the contemporary drama It’s Okay. The closing ceremony will take place on June 15 at K Cineplex in Nicosia, with the screening of Blades of the Guardians: Wind Rises in the Desert.

Most screenings will be free and open to the public, while a limited number will be by invitation only. The films will be screened in their original language with Greek and English subtitles.

Speaking on behalf of Deputy Minister of Culture Vasiliki Kassianidou, Permanent Secretary of the Deputy Ministry of Culture, George Papageorgiou, said cinema is ‘one of the most powerful ways’ for societies to come to know one another, through emotion, music and shared human experience.

He said the Deputy Ministry supports the Film Week because it believes in strengthening cultural relations between Cyprus and China, particularly in cinema, adding that the initiative opens an important door for Cyprus’ film industry and creates prospects for cooperation in co-productions, professional exchanges, festivals and training.

Papageorgiou also said Cyprus, despite being small in geographical terms, has historically served as a bridge between Europe, Asia and Africa, adding that cooperation with China is an important avenue for cultural enrichment and mutual understanding.

Director Marios Joannou Elia said the Sound of Shanghai was developed over one and a half years and explores how a city can be transformed into music. More than 250 musicians and performers took part in the project, including the China National Orchestra, while more than 2,500 audiovisual fragments were recorded across Shanghai.

He described the film as ‘an invitation to listen differently: to cities, to cultures and to one another’, adding that it is symbolic for the work to open the Chinese Film Week in Cyprus as part of a cultural dialogue between the two countries.

The press briefing also presented the international symposium ‘From Civilisational Differences to Shared Values: China-Europe Dialogue in a Multipolar World’, which will take place on June 2 at European University Cyprus.

Soteroula Yasemi, Financial and Project Manager of the Prometheus Research Institute, said the symposium will bring together experts and scholars from China, Cyprus and Europe to discuss China-Cyprus relations, China-Europe cooperation, multilateralism and civilisational dialogue.

‘In a world where divisions often dominate headlines, initiatives like this seminar serve as a reminder of the power of dialogue,’ she said.

President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides congratulated on Thursday the new Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs.

The President wrote in a post on ‘X’ that he looks forward to deepening the bilateral relations and working together for a more secure Europe.

“Congratulations Andris Kulbergs on becoming the new Latvian PM. I look forward to deepening our bilateral cooperation and working together for a more secure, resilient, and prosperous Europe” he wrote.

The Meteorological Department issued a yellow warning at 1608 local time on Wednesday for isolated heavy thunderstorms, valid from 11:00 until 18:00 local time on Thursday.

According to the warning, isolated heavy thunderstorms are expected to affect mountainous areas, inland areas and the east, while hail is expected during thunderstorms.

The precipitation rate is locally likely to exceed 35 millimetres per hour.