Cyprus president: Pope’s visit a turning point in Cypriot-Italian relations

President Demetris Christofias has said that the forthcoming visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Cyprus is a turning point in relations between the peoples of Cyprus and Italy.

The visit, the President pointed out, will enhance the already close relations with the Holy See.

Inaugurating the exhibition “Cyprus and Italy in the Age of Byzantium”, President Christofias referred to the long-standing contacts between Cyprus and Italy, which began in the 11th century BC and continued during ancient times, influencing Italian and Cypriot art as well as the culture of the two countries in various aspects of everyday life.

He underlined that the excellent relations between the two peoples continue to date in the framework of a united Europe, since the two countries share many common attributes, historical, geographical and cultural. There is also close cooperation in political, financial and cultural issues, he added.

Ιcons, sacred relics and other items of byzantine art from the collections of the Byzantine Museum, as well as from other ecclesiastical and private collections from Cyprus are exhibited to demonstrate the influence of Italian art and the contacts of Cypriot artists with Italy.

The chronological range of the exhibits covers the period between 1191 up to the end of the 16th century, the period of western domination of Cyprus (English (1191), Templars (1191) French Lusignans (1192-1489) and Venetians (1189-1571). The exhibition aims at presenting the interaction in art and the channels of spreading this art from the West to Cyprus and vice versa.

Pope Benedict XVI will pay an official visit to Cyprus 4-6 June.