PAPHOS MOSAIC SHELTERS - IF NOT 2026, IT WILL BE 2027 - Filenews 31/3 by Dora Christodoulou
The competent bodies of the Republic continue and intensify in 2026 the contacts and consultations with the great American cultural foundation, the Getty Institute, for the completion of the cooperation aimed at the preparation and installation of the special shelter for the mosaics of Kato Paphos. According to bodies that are aware of the practical part of the processes, 2026 is now considered rather difficult to reach a conclusion on the issue that has been bothering cultural institutions and not only for 30 years, with 2027 now being judged as the most feasible goal for the happy end of the effort.
The cooperation between the two parties continues unhindered, despite the voices that were heard about problems during the debate in Parliament on the budget of the Deputy Ministry of Culture, competent officials point out. The size and specialization of this project, however, they clarified, makes its completion time-consuming, a fact that may have been misinterpreted by some.
On the contrary, the Cypriot state has already paid, they emphasize, a significant amount of money during this cooperation for the preparation of specialized studies and the world-renowned American cultural organization is working with every seriousness and detail to promote the implementation of the major project. The creation and installation of the special shelter is crucial for the protection of the treasures of the world cultural heritage of Kato Paphos, which is why the whole course requires very specialized handling and construction, as experts clarify.
The project was preceded by an international competition, with the support of the Getty Conservation Institute, and a relevant study was prepared, which was characterized as "Phase A" of the project.
