210 paintings by artists from Famagusta will be transferred to the free areas

The issue of the place where the 210 paintings of Greek Cypriot artists will be transferred from Famagusta to be safe - which will be delivered to the e / k side under the new Confidence Building Measures (MOE) - will be discussed by the Bicommunal Technical Committee for Culture with the Government as well as with the United Nations.

This was stated to KYPE by the Co-Chair of the Committee, Androulla Vassiliou, adding that "it is a big job. First and foremost is the issue of security, to be transferred to a safe place on our side until it is determined who the real beneficiaries are. "Yes, we have the names of the painters, but we do not know if the painter sold them to someone else because they found too many paintings in private homes, which means that they bought the works."

To find the beneficiary, said Ms. Vassiliou, will be a very laborious job that must be done very carefully. "And these are what we will discuss in our next meeting, the Bicommunal Committee and always with the advice of a reputable lawyer to help us in the whole process."

Asked if the site had been selected, he said: "It is something we will discuss with both the Government and the United Nations. One thought that has been made is for the United Nations to help us because it is a matter of security. To insure these projects - some of which are of great value - means a lot of money. "Now who is willing to give that money? Either the government has to do it or the United Nations."

The next meeting of the Bicommunal Committee, said Ms. Vassiliou, will take place between March 12 and 15. "We will discuss so that all members of the Commission, Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot, are informed about this issue," he noted.

On the one hand, he said, we must give all the information to the members of the Commission and then exchange views on how to proceed with the procedures.

Asked when the paintings will be given, he said "I think it is up to us to find space and see how the paintings will be secured, because it now passes into our possession and obligation. I believe that all this will be decided quickly ".

Ms. Vassiliou stated that these 210 paintings of great value are paintings found in private homes, galleries and studios of painters from various places in Famagusta.

"They were scattered here and there and Mr. Akinci gave the order, they gathered them all in one place, they were recorded, photographed, wrapped to protect them," he added.

Regarding the decision of the Greek Cypriot side to give visual and audio recordings of Turkish Cypriot artists that exist in the RIK archives and belong to the period before 1963, Ms. Vassiliou said "I understand that it is from the RIK archive of theatrical performances in which they took part Turkish Cypriots from music bands ".

Source: KYPE