A Moving Journey Through Art, Memory, and Return

The Cyprus High Commission in London was honoured to welcome Dr Yiannis Toumazis, Director of the Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation and former Deputy Minister of Culture of the Republic of Cyprus, for a special lecture presented as part of the parallel programme of George Pol. Georghiou – Timeless Cyprus.

Entitled A Glimpse into Famagusta's Cultural Heyday: A Treasure Trove of Greek Cypriot Art Returned by the Turkish Cypriot Community to the Greek Cypriot Community, the lecture offered audiences a rare and deeply moving insight into the return of 219 artworks that had remained in the northern part of Cyprus since 1974.

Speaking before an audience gathered amongst the artworks themselves at the Hellenic Centre, Dr Toumazis guided attendees through the remarkable story of their recovery and return. From the first identification of the paintings, to the painstaking efforts to trace artists and rightful owners, and finally to the emotional moment when the artworks crossed the checkpoints and were safely transferred to Nicosia, the lecture revealed the human stories behind each work of art.

The evening highlighted the invaluable contribution of the Bicommunal Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage, whose efforts helped safeguard these artworks and ultimately made their return possible. As audiences learned, the story is not only one of preservation, but also of dialogue, trust, and cooperation across communities.

Particularly moving was the reminder that exhibitions such as Timeless Cyprus would not have been possible without this collective effort. The returned works, including paintings by George Pol. Georghiou and other leading Cypriot artists, continue to serve as powerful witnesses to the island's cultural history and artistic legacy.

The event also featured remarks by Mrs Loukia Loizou Hadjigavriel of the A. G. Leventis Foundation, who shared personal reflections on her longstanding collaboration with Dr Toumazis and their shared commitment to preserving and promoting Cypriot culture.

As part of the official cultural programme of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the lecture provided audiences with a deeper understanding of the role that cultural heritage can play in fostering dialogue, preserving memory, and building bridges between communities.

The Cyprus High Commission extends its sincere thanks to Dr Toumazis for an inspiring and thought-provoking evening, and to all those who joined us for this memorable event.