Saturday 4 April 2015

Museum review: the Centre of Visual Arts and Research, South Nicosia – "a permanent platform for Cyprus’ multi-cultural heritage”

A day at the races in Cyprus. Photo by Muhsin Mustafa
PLACES / ENTS & LEISURE

By Muhsin Mustafa

During my last holiday in Cyprus, I had the opportunity to visit the Centre of Visual Arts & Research (CVAR) – a wonderful new museum in South Nicosia. I went a few days after the grand opening of the Centre of Visual Arts & Research (CVAR) by Greek Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades.

Located on Ermou Street, within the historic walls of Old Nicosia, it is a 10-minute walk from the Turkish side via Lokmacı border gate.

The headquarters of the Costas and Rita Severis Foundation, this non-profit organisation provides a permanent platform for Cyprus’ multi-cultural heritage. It comprises of a 4-storey exhibition area, research centre, conference hall, café, with roof terrace and gift shop.

The building was originally an Ottoman Han (inn) that was converted into a flour mill in 1953, then restored and re-opened as an exhibition centre in 2014.

CVAR has a mixture of displays to represent the history, life and colourful culture of Cyprus: the Ottomans, British and Cypriots are all represented and the exhibit information panels are written in Turkish, English and Greek.

As you move up a sloping walkway, you rediscover Cypriot costumes, art and craft from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. There are a plethora of posters, objects and costumes from Cyprus’ past, along with more than 1,000 paintings on display. Explore the historic sets including a British Officer’s study, the Whirling Dervishes of Cyprus and peer into an old Cypriot home.

There is access to archives with photographs and documents on Cyprus. CVAR also houses a library with over 5,000 books available, and hosts a wide range of activities to promote peaceful co-existence.

From CVAR's unique location, visitors can also admire the tiled roofs, palm trees, and countless churches, mosques and monuments of old Nicosia.

I was very impressed with this museum and I strongly recommend to everyone connected with Cyprus to visit and see for themselves.

Entrance: €5
Address: 385 Ermou Street, 1017, South Nicosia.

RELATED ARTICLES

Ships, Clocks and Stars exhibition at the National Maritime Museum, 29 Nov. 2014 

Go visit the Museum of London, 21 Apr. 2014





No comments:

Post a Comment