Committee looks at Girne Castle storage conditions

THE Bicommunal Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage decided on Thursday to visit Girne Castle to examine the storage conditions of a large number of Greek Cypriot Orthodox icons and other religious artefacts, kept there since 1974.

Speaking to [South] Cyprus News Agency (CNA), Takis Hadjidemetriou, the Greek Cypriot head of the Technical Committee, said the committee could get involved in the restoration of damaged icons, if deemed necessary.

The issue was discussed on Thursday during the regular meeting of the committee and according to Mr Hadjidemetriou, it was decided to pay a visit to the castle to form an opinion regarding the issue. He added consultations were ongoing to set the date.

Asked about the possibility of involving the committee in the restoration, in case it was deemed necessary, he said “this is within our areas of competence”.

Mr Hadjidemetriou also said that the Technical Committee had paid a visit to the castle’s storage areas many years ago and found the icons to be in good condition.

Asked about the possible return of icons to the Church of Cyprus, Mr Hadjidemetriou said this was not part of the committee’s mandate but was connected to political developments in the Cyprus problem.

He said finally that the members of the committee had no difficulty in reaching a common understanding and approach over the matter.

Meanwhile Turkish Cypriot Grand Müftü Talip Atalay said he supports the return of icons and religious artifacts to their rightful owners.

He added that such a return would take a political decision, which they would support.

Dr Atalay reiterated his belief that the icons’ “proper storage, maintenance and protection are not only a must but a duty. Religious beliefs and religious places of everyone should be protected irrespective of where they are”.

“Just like we expect the assets that belong to the Muftiate/Evkaf to be properly maintained, protected and preserved by the Greek Cypriot authorities, Turkish Cypriot authorities should do the same to the assets of the Christians of Cyprus,” he said.

Bishop Porfyrios of Neapolis, head of the Synodical Committee on Monuments and Religious Artifacts of the Church welcomed the investigation into the icons that was published by Turkish Cypriot Havadis newspaper.

He also welcomed the Müftü’s statements but expressed sadness and concern about the status of the icons as was reported.

Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis reported on Sunday that hundreds of religious artefacts worth millions have been kept in unsuitable conditions under lock and key in Girne Castle since 1974.

The paper said the icons and other religious artefacts were stored on shelves but left without any maintenance.

The paper published photos of various icons, including an 1886 gold one of Apostolos Andreas taken from the monastery in the Karpaz peninsula, crosses, candle holders, and other implements from various churches.

The report said there was no climate control in the storage rooms, which were very hot, while the icons were gathering dust.

It also said that no-one knew the exact number of artefacts stored there and theft had taken place in the past.

Speaking to the CNA, Greek Cypriot antiquities curator Giorgos Philotheou said on Wednesday his department knew of the artefacts that a Turkish Cypriot newspaper reported on last Sunday.

“Our information is that a large number of icons have been assembled in a large hall in the castle,” he said.

Mr Philotheou said it was good that they were all in a protected place but the conditions were not ideal since it was surrounded by sea.

The curator confirmed the items were the property of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus.