Filenews 7 July 2022 - by Dora Christodoulou
The first-of-its-kind turtle museum in Cyprus is being promoted for implementation after the signing of the relevant contracts for the placement of exhibits and other equipment inside it and the start of the receipt of this equipment a few days ago. The museum will operate in the community of Inia and as the president of the community, Yiangos Tsivikos, told "F", it will operate a space that has already been prepared in the renovated central square of Inia since 2015. As Mr. Tsivikos mentioned, the spaces are ready and the installation of the special equipment and the internal layout of the museum is the final stage for the start of operation of this great project.
The President of the Community of Inia clarified that the signing of the contracts for the equipment concerns the second and last phase for the operation of the project. This equipment, costing €350,000, he stressed, has already begun to reach the community in parts, but given that it comes from abroad it will be in operation and ready to support the opening of this unique museum in the summer season of 2023.
"Since for decades the turtles of Lara were the main reason for the stagnation of the community in a non-developmental regime, it was decided at least that the area would exploit their existence and their reputation for an alternative exploitation for the benefit of the people of the area," he pointed out. "Already the spaces that will be converted into the turtle museum have been created, as part of the redevelopment of the central square space of the community.
The museum will consist of two rooms of 150 square metres, in which everything that has to do with the turtles will be exhibited and with their interconnection with Lara and the wider area of Akamas.
At the same time, however, the turtle museum will also function as an educational and environmental centre, with seminars, lectures and other activities of an educational and informative nature, which schools, other institutions and organized groups will be able to visit.''
This unique museum in Cyprus, emphasizes the President of the Community of Inia, will be created and will operate in collaboration with the competent ministries and state departments, in order to make a scientifically correct promotion and work, for the benefit of all.
The creation of the museum space follows the completion of the renovation and promotion works of the central square of Inia. Yiangos Tsivikos points out that the project, with a total cost of about €1.3 million, was co-financed by state and European funds and includes landscaping, the installation of a pavement, the creation of an amphitheatre, a library, an information office and a kiosk.
