Westminster Palace, home of both Houses of Parliament, played host on Wednesday evening to a photography exhibition entitled ‘Morphou: The pillage and destruction of age-long heritage’.
The event was organised by the Municipality of Morphou, the National Federation of Cypriots UK, the Morphou Area Organisation and the Friends of Barnet Morphou (the London council twinned with Morphou). The photographs reveal the extent of the pillage and destruction of Morphou’s cultural heritage by the Turkish occupying force, a heritage that was described as “part of the European heritage” as well.
The mayor of the Turkish occupied town of Morphou, Charalambos Pittas has told CNA that “these photographs depict the current situation of the churches and archaeological monuments of Morphou and they constitute a result and a proof of the effort to turn Morphou to a Turkish area, an area though that is deep rooted in Hellenism.”
He said the monuments shown in the exhibition should be considered as European monuments, worth defending. He did express his pessimism though regarding the prospects of safeguarding these elements of Cypriot heritage. In his short speech, the mayor spoke of a reality of crimes against Cyprus, Europe and civilisation as we know it.
A long term friend of Cyprus, Sir Alan Meale MP, one of the British parliamentarians to invite the exhibition to Westminster Palace, has told CNA that the exhibition is “quite remarkable”, as it provides evidence of the destructive intent of the pillagers.
“What these pictures are is a series of snaps of failure,” commented the Labour MP strongly criticising Europe and the UK government of not rising up to their responsibilities towards a country like Cyprus which is an ally, a member of the EU and the Commonwealth. In his address Sir Alan promised that he and his colleagues will not stand idle by until a free and united Cyprus is achieved.
The deputy High Commissioner of Cyprus to the UK, Giorgos Christofides described the exhibition as “a painful reminder of what regrettably continues to take place in the Turkish occupied areas,” mentioning the destruction of churches, cemeteries, archaeological sites and schools.
As he said “hundreds of religious monuments have been converted into stables, barracks of the Turkish army, mosques, hotels or were left to deteriorate and collapse, archaeological sites have been looted and demolished, museums and private collections were also looted, invaluable mosaics and icons were detached from the church walls, fragmented and sold on the black market.”
He added that the photographs “indisputably confirm the destruction of cultural heritage as a result of an orchestrated effort to erase the traces of the people who have lived in that part of the world for thousands of years,” in what is “an unacceptable affront to civilised world.”
Christofides called on the British politicians present to receive the pictures as further testimony of what is happening to Cyprus and “be encouraged to continue and redouble their efforts in trying to stop this shameful practice by the occupying force.”
Sir Roger Gale, Conservative MP, said the exhibition is both magnificent for the quality of its pictures as well as terrible at the same time as these pictures bring home the destruction of such monuments.
He expressed his confidence that one day the people of Morphou will start rebuilding their town and assured them that the British MPs will be there with them. “We know that one day the problem will be solved and you’ll get your land and heritage back,” concluded Sir Roger Gale MP.
Andy Love, the Labour MP for Edmonton said he was pleased and sad at the same time for attending such an event. “Everyone should feel shocked and appalled by what has happened. These pictures have had a deep impact on me, to see the desecration and neglect of cemeteries and holy places that have turned to mosques or stables,” lamented Mr Love.
He pledged to continue along with other MP to raise the issue of protection of occupied Cyprus’ cultural heritage. He ended his address by saying that the only solution is the end of division, the bringing together of the two communities on the basis that everyone knows.
The exhibition’s curator, archaeologist and byzantinist Dr Christodoulos Hadjichristodoulou described to CNA how archaeological sites such as the ancient Greek city of Soloi or Petra tou Limniti as well as the orthodox churches and cemeteries of Morphou have been turned into mosques, stables, warehouses, lavatories or have just been left neglected.
Dr Hadjichristodoulou made specific mention of the St George Rigatis monastery, dated back to the 10th century that belongs to the Jerusalem Patriarchy, which is now in the middle of the Turkish occupation army’s shooting field. The Transformation of the Saviour church in Chrysiliou has become a morgue while St Mamas church (the patron-saint of Morphou) is a museum with the orthodox owners expected to pay a ticket to enter.
The event was also supported and attended among others by MPs Ian Lavery, David Crausby, Matthew Offord, David Burrowes, Mike Freer, the Barnet councillor Brian Coleman and ex MPs and long time champions of Cyprus’ goals Tom Cox and Eddie O’Hara. Dozens of London Cypriots from Morphou and other areas visited the exhibition, as well as representatives of the organisers.