A historic moment for the Municipality of Paralimni - Deryneia, the Famagusta district and the cultural heritage of Cyprus was the grand welcoming ceremony of Aphrodite of Lefkolla, which took place on the afternoon of Sunday, September 13, 2026, on the Xistaria peninsula, in Protaras.
After approximately two and a half thousand years, the face of Aphrodite symbolically returned to the place where it was created, displayed and worshipped, through a scientifically documented and absolutely faithful copy of the unique statue head that was discovered in the 19th century in the area of ancient Leucolla and stolen by the antiquities thief Luigi Palma di Cesnola and is currently located in the Cyprus Hall at the New Museum in Berlin.
To complete the faithful copy, cooperation was developed with the New Museum of Berlin and the Humboldt University, while the contribution of the Deputy Ministry of Culture was decisive in facilitating the entire process.
Greetings were delivered by the Deputy Minister of Culture, Ms. Clea Hadjistefanou Papaellina, the Mayor of Paralimni - Deryneia, Mr. Giorgos Nikolettos, and the Professor of Archaeology at the Humboldt University of Berlin, Dr. Stefan Schmidt.
The presence of "Kyrenia - Eleftheria", the faithful replica of the ancient ship of Kyrenia, with the participation of the "Kyrenia Chrysokava" Cultural Foundation, also added special symbolism to the ceremony.
The ceremony was also attended by the former Paralimni Guides, the Paralimni and Deryneia Sea Scout and Air Scout Systems, the Run for Autism Famagusta Team and Deryneia Runners, the Constantia Nautical Club, as well as a musical group that artistically accompanied the evening. The Ministry of Defense also contributed with the presence of the "FAMAGUSTA FAMAGUSTA" Navy, the Navy Command and the Ministry of Justice and Public Order with three Port and Maritime Police vessels, as well as all the services and personnel of the Municipality who worked on the preparation and implementation of the event.
The event was held under the auspices of the Deputy Ministry of Culture.
Watch the video HERE
