Shakespeare`s Othello was presented for the first time at its natural site, the Othello Tower in the Turkish occupied town of Famagusta, by a group of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot young actors, making the dream of Ali Tuncay and Takis Hadjidemetriou come true.
The production was made possible after conservation and structural consolidation works by the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage, EU and UNDP – PFF at this historical monument of Cyprus and the whole Mediterranean have been completed.
Eight actors from the island’s two communities, in front of an audience of 300 people, brought to life one of the most well known of Shakespeare`s tragedies at a site of historical value for all the Cypriots on Thursday, an event which marked the reopening of the monument to the public.
Marios, Rafaela, Vasiliki and Themida said they were overwhelmed with awe and honoured to be part of the project, able to present this particular play at this particular place. The Greek Cypriot actors also expressed their happiness for the cooperation with their Turkish Cypriot colleagues which they aim to continue. Anna Marangou, a Greek Cypriot archaeologist and art historian from Famagusta, who was present at the event, remembered that the last performance at the Othello Tower was in 1963.
“For many years Famagusta has not seen such a gathering. For centuries it has not seen so many people, from many tribes and nations. To hear so many voices, like those who knew the old days and filled her with wealth and glory” Takis Hadjidemetriou Greek Cypriot representative of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage has said in his speech. Foreign ambassadors had presented their credentials to the king in Famagusta in the past and today “we came to bring our message of collusion and mutual respect”, he added.
“We do not treat monuments as bricks, we are also aware that they have intrinsic value and meaning to all of us,” Ali Tuncay, the Turkish Cypriot representative to the Technical Committee has said in his speech. The cultural heritage of Cyprus is priceless and the greatest richness and has the potential to contribute in economic terms to the well being of both communities, he added. “Our working relationship in the Committee is our joint message to the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots. We can jointly benefit though cooperation on an equal footing, mutual trust and understanding and working for the common good of both communities,” he said.
Tuncay said that when he was a child they were playing games and performing theatrical acts on the walls of Othello Tower and the restoration was a dream for him, which became a common dream with Takis Hadjidemetriou when he told him about it.
Cihan Sultanoglu, UN Assistant-Secretary General and UNDP Regional Director for Europe and the CIS has stressed that the Othello Tower and Citadel stand here as proud reminders of the importance of preserving that history for generations to come. For UNDP, preservation of historically important sites is not just about renovating old monuments, creating jobs and stimulating local economy, she added. “As we are well aware, it can also greatly contribute to reconciliation process and to harmonious development of the island”. She also said that she shared the hopes expressed by various partners and colleagues she met tha last few days in Cyprus for great optimism and expectation for the success of the renewed peace process.
“I am delighted that the European Union has been able to accompany and support the Technical Committee since the very beginning in 2009, together with UNDP Partnership for the Future,” Normund Popens, Deputy Director – General for implementation, DG Regional and Urban Policy has stressed. “Future generations will one day look back at the work of the Technical Committee: not only with admiration and gratitude for the restoration of this and many others monuments, but also and more importantly, for your outstanding contribution to the restoration of peace”.Today, with resumed settlement talks taking place in a very positive atmosphere giving renewed hope for reunification, “we celebrate a clear example of peaceful cooperation and reconciliation in the common interest of all Cypriots,” he added.
This is our 11th completion event of the projects since UNDP started its collaboration with the Technical Committee and the first in the historic city of Famagusta, “which feels long owed to this city given its rich cultural heritage”, Tiziana Zennari of UNDP – Partnership for the future has stressed in her welcoming address.
The heart of Famagusta is here, in front of the port, a magnificent monument with a different dimension due to the reputation it has gained because of Shakespeare`s Othello, archeologist Anna Marangou has told CNA. She recalls from her childhood theatrical performances by NAFI and RAF with the last ones around 1963. “I am going back today not just 41 (since the Turkish invasion and division of Cyprus) but 50 years”.
There have been some important steps, this monument has great value and it links Cyprus with Europe, Othello Tower was a point of reference in Medieval Famagusta for the Venetians of the time, the Greek Cypriots, for everybody, Marangou pointed out. She also remembered how important was the city in 1974 with its cultural, spiritual, literary life, a tourist resort along with Keryneia. “What happened today is a start and to change things you need personalities, such as the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mustafa Akinci,” she added.
Structural consolidations and conservation works began in May 2014 and were implemented by the UNDP – Partnership for the future. The project cost slightly over one million euros (1,025 m) fully funded by the European Union.
A gallery titled “A door to the future” was also inaugurated at Thursday night inside the Tower in which all works carried out throughout the project are detailed in the exhibition. “Othello” will be repeated for the public on Friday, July 3rd and Saturday, July 4rth.
