House approves proposal for free entrance to 12 museums

The House of Representatives approved a proposal for the free entrance to 12 museums and for the holding of wedding ceremonies and other events at nine sites of architectural importance.

Transport, Communications and Works Minister, Yiannis Karousos, has welcomed the approval of the amendments which his ministry promoted as part of its ‘Museums for All’ policy. The aim of the ‘Museums for All’ project is to increase the number of people visiting Cyprus’ museums.

Karousos said in a written statement that this policy would give museum access to everyone, offering them the opportunity to become acquainted with the cultural heritage of the country.

“Our purpose is to promote our museums through tourist stakeholders, aiming at their inclusion in tourist packages, and in the framework of boosting the effort to promote museum tourism as an alternative form of tourism, which will attract visitors and researchers from all over the world,” Karousos said.

There will be fee entrance to the following museums: Ethnological Museum; House of Hadjigeorgakis Kornesios (Nicosia); Museum of Traditional Embroidery and Silversmith-work (Lefkara; Ethnological Museum (Fikardou); Archaeological Museum (Larnaca); Archaeological Museum (Limassol); Archaeological Museum (Paphos); Local Archaeological Museum of Kourion (Episkopi); Local Archaeological Museum of Marion-Arsinois (Polis Chrysochous); Local Archaeological Museum of Ancient Idalion (Dhali); Yeroskipou Folk Art Museum (Paphos); Cyprus Railway Museum (Evrychou).

As regards the holding civil wedding ceremonies those interested should apply to the Antiquities Department, via the relevant municipality, at least one month prior to the date of the event.

The price for the use of these venues will be €1000 to €1500 and the maximum number of people who can attend is 30. Throwing flowers or rice or ‘confetti’ as well as fireworks are not allowed.

The list of venues includes the mediaeval castle of Larnaca and the old Nicosia Municipality building, as well as the Cyprus Railway Museum in Evrychou and the Museum of Traditional Embroidery and Silversmith-work in Lefkara.

Karousos said that there was an increased interest among foreign visitors for weddings at such venues. Their use for this purpose, under strict rules, which protect their historic value, would generate publicity abroad about Cyprus’ cultural heritage.