Commissioner for the Environment and Animal Welfare, ?lias Myrianthous highlighted the importance of the knowledge required to construct dry-stone walls and its relevance to the contemporary needs of rural areas, during the opening session of an international meeting on dry-stone construction taking place in the mountainous region of Limassol district, Cyprus.
The international meeting, co-organised by the Commissioner’s Office, the Department of Antiquities, the Unit for Education for the Environment and Sustainable Development and the “Petra stin Petra” includes workshops, presentations and various events. It features participants from Cyprus, Greece, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Bulgaria, Spain, Austria and South Korea.
In his address the Commissioner noted that dry-stone walls are a familiar sight in vineyards, on hillsides, and across fields, particularly throughout the mountainous and semi-mountainous regions, as well as the wine villages of Limassol.
He further pointed out that behind every such structure lies the knowledge of those who worked with stone and their own hands, observing the terrain and devising ways to organise the landscape.
Myrianthous noted that the inclusion of the art of dry-stone walling in UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage recognises the value of this craft and of the people who keep it alive.
He hailed the role of the international conference in Cyprus and the various workshops aiming at safeguarding the continuity of this work.
He also noted that the initiative takes on particular significance following the devastating fires that struck the Limassol district, pointing out the significance of working for the restoration of the landscape and bringing people together in a collective effort.
The Commissioner also said that the contemporary value of dry-stone construction, in terms of agricultural activity, soil protection, and the preservation of the rural landscape, is also reflected in various agricultural policy initiatives.