On Thursday, December 19, 2023, His Excellency Mr. Martin Hagström, the Ambassador of Sweden in Cyprus, visited the premises of the UNESCO and ERA Chairs of the DHRLab at the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT).
This visit follows a prior meeting at the Ambassador’s residence in Nicosia last May. Importantly, it occurred within the framework of a significant bilateral agreement between CUT and the Museum of Mediterranean and Near Eastern Antiquities in Stockholm. This agreement aims to digitize the largest collection of Cypriot antiquities outside of Cyprus, an initiative forged earlier this year involving Dr. Kenneth Silver, Head of the Graeco-Roman Department at the Museum in Stockholm and Adjunct Professor Minna Silver.
The substantial collection originates from the renowned Swedish Cyprus Expedition conducted between 1927 and 1931. Since the expedition’s conclusion, 50% of the Cypriot antiquities were transported to Sweden and housed at the Museum of Mediterranean and Near Eastern Antiquities in Stockholm, while the remaining half remained in Cyprus, housed at the Archaeological Museum in Nicosia.
The digitization of this entire collection holds the promise of unique research opportunities, establish new educational material and reuniting these artifacts, bridging physical distances and serving as an inspiring example of exceptional cooperation in the domain of cultural diplomacy. Additionally, this digitization effort will significantly bolster broader cultural diplomacy between Cyprus and Sweden, a prospect reaffirmed by the Ambassador’s visit to the DHRLab premises.
Last but not least, a delegation from CUT will travel to Sweden in January to initiate this cutting-edge project officially and launch the captivating digitization process.
