The largest project implemented by the Government, the new Cyprus Museum, is in the process of implementation, after the announcement today of the tender for the construction contract of the project. The announcement for the announcement of the tender was made by the Minister of Transport, Communications and Works, Giannis Karousos, during an event held for the presentation of the project, in Nicosia.
The event, which took place at the existing Cyprus Museum, was attended, among others, by members of the Parliamentary Committees on Transport, Education and Culture and the Mayor of Nicosia.
As mentioned during the presentation of the project, the bidding period will last until July 1, 2022 and the contract is estimated to be signed around the end of 2022.
It was noted that the construction works of the Project will be completed within 42 months from the signing of the contract, while after the completion of the construction works, a period of 18 months is foreseen for the completion of the museographic works, including the transfer and installation of the exhibits.
It was also mentioned that the total duration for the delivery of the project is 60 months.
It was noted, in addition, that the new Cyprus Museum will be built on an area of 40.000 sq.m. and its budget amounts to € 121,380 million, an amount that is the highest in the Budget of the Ministry of Transport for 2022 and confirms the Government's willingness to invest in the Culture sector.
As mentioned, the Museum will be erected in an important area of Nicosia, on the site of the Old General Hospital and will include permanent exhibition spaces, which will house around 6.500 antiquities, periodical exhibition spaces, educational programs, conservation workshops, antiquities warehouses, library, amphitheater, offices and extensive landscaping.
In addition, the work of the new Cyprus Museum includes the creation of a public square.
The Minister of Transport, Communications and Works, Giannis Karousos, in his greeting at the presentation of the new Cyprus Museum said that the biggest project in the state budget today is a cultural project, "it is the new Cyprus Museum, and that says a lot about our support for our culture and our society ", adding that the construction of the new Cyprus Museum is part of the wider strategy of the state, and is expected to contribute to the promotion of other related sectors, such as cultural tourism.
Mr. Karousos said that the Cyprus Museum, "in which we are today, was built by the Colonial Government of the island in 1908, following the national request of the scholars of the time, who saw the urgent need for proper exhibition and preservation of the island's antiquities. ».
"For more than a century, this landmark in the heart of modern Nicosia has protected and highlighted the archaeological and historical heritage of our island. "Despite the alterations and additions made in the past, this historic building is no longer able to meet the multidimensional roles that a modern, national archaeological museum is expected to play."
As he said, the need for these changes was realized several years ago.
"However, the first essential step was taken in May 2017 with the completion of the International Architectural Competition for the construction of the new Cyprus Museum and the awarding of the first prize to the architect Theonis Xanthi and her collaborators. The result is the creation of a Museum, a jewel of the Mediterranean and the European area, a landmark building, which will be a point of reference for both its architecture and the experience it will offer and which we have no doubt will welcome thousands visitors per day with huge benefits for the capital ", he added.
As Mr. Karousos said, the Cyprus Museum will be combined with free admission, a policy which has been approved by the Council of Ministers and is part of the "Museums for All" policy and has already been implemented in all the Museums of the Department of Antiquities. following the example of world-famous museums such as the British Museum in London.
"Another announcement of the President of the Republic that is now being implemented, proving in practice the support of the Government and the President of the Republic personally in the field of Culture. A project that the President of the Republic had set as his priorities with personal continuous supervision and monitoring of its maturity ", he added.
Mr. Karousos said that the bid submission period will last until July 1, 2022 and the contract is estimated to be signed by the end of 2022.
"The construction works of the Project will be completed within 42 months from the signing of the contract, while after the completion of the construction works, a period of 18 months is foreseen for the completion of the museographic works, including the transfer and installation of the exhibits. The total duration for the delivery of the Project is 60 months ", he noted.
He also mentioned that the Museum will be erected in an important area of Nicosia, on the site of the old General Hospital, almost opposite the existing Cypriot Museum.
"It will include, in addition to the permanent exhibition spaces, which will host around 6.500 antiquities, spaces of periodical exhibitions, educational programs, maintenance workshops, antiquities warehouses, library, amphitheater, offices and extensive landscaping. In addition, the work of the new Cyprus Museum includes the creation of a public square, which will mark and underline the new, improved image of the urban center ", he added.
Mr. Karousos stressed that the new Cyprus Museum seeks to create all the conditions for the current visitor to be able to see the ancient world of the island with a fresh look and to build his own direct relationship with our tangible and intangible cultural heritage.
The Director of the Department of Antiquities, Marina Ieronymidou, in a short speech stated that the decision to build a new museum was dictated, among other things, by the need to highlight and preserve the collections of the Department of Antiquities with modern museological means.
"The new Cyprus Museum will be the evolution of the institution of the Cyprus Museum as the goal is to have a strengthened public image and to function interactively and interactively as a meeting place of the ancient world with the conditions of modern life," he added.
Ms. Ieronymidou also referred to Vassos Karagiorgis, the leading Cypriot archaeologist, who passed away yesterday.
"For 26 years he was the Director of the Department of Antiquities, from 1963 to 1989, when he retired and during his own term, the construction of the new Cyprus Museum was proposed for the first time to the Council of Ministers. Many important findings that are exhibited here and that will be central exhibits of the new narrative in the new Cyprus Museum come from his own excavations. I am sure that Vassos Karagiorgis would be happy with us on this very important day ", he added.
The Mayor of Nicosia, Konstantinos Giorkatzis, in his own greeting expressed special satisfaction for the implementation of the new Cyprus Museum.
"A modern and majestic, extroverted archeological museum, worthy of the history and culture of our homeland. Because an archeological museum first and foremost proves our respect for our history and culture. I am sure that the new archeological museum will give a new identity and value to the important area where it will be erected opposite the building of the House of Representatives, very close to our renovated Municipal Theater and Nicosia within the walls. The location of the new Museum is in a central position, in the Zone of Administration and Culture, as provided by the Area Plan of the center of Nicosia and confirms its importance for the capital and for Cyprus as a whole ", he noted.
As Mr. Giorkatzis said, this modern infrastructure for the protection and promotion of antiquities collections under the responsibility of the state, is expected to significantly expand the possibilities for each visitor and scholar to get to know better the rich ancient culture of Cyprus.
Nicosia, he continued, will watch with impatience but also enthusiasm the progress of the Project until its completion and the first day that it will open its doors to the public.
"I am also sure that together with the other important projects that we have recently completed or are implementing at this time, such as Eleftherias Square, Emporiko Trigono, Makariou, Stasikratous, the site of the Old GSP, they will further upgrade Nicosia and expand its possibilities, making our city modern, accessible and attractive ", he noted.
The lead architect of the project, Theoni Xanthi, who presented the project in detail, pointed out that the new Cyprus Museum is an innovation for Nicosia, which will undoubtedly offer the visitor of the Museum and the city, a unique cultural experience.
Source: KYPE