Kassianidou sworn in as new deputy culture minister (Updated)

The new deputy culture minister Vasiliki (Lina) Kassianidou was sworn in on Friday in a ceremony attended by President Nikos Christodoulides.

At the ceremony, Kassianidou thanked Christodoulides for appointing her and said she will work hard to achieve the government’s goals.

“Continuing the work of my predecessor, whom I thank for everything he has done during his term, I will work for artists to be recognised and for their rights to be secured, and I will do everything I can to give the opportunity to young people to come into contact with the artistic creation of our country”, she said.

Kassianidou also spoke about the Antiquities department, which as of July 1 falls under the responsibility of her deputy ministry, promising to “do everything I can to make this transition smooth and efficient.

She added “I hope that together we will find the ways for new generations to acquaint themselves with the arts and culture of our country from ancient times to the present day”.

The president said that Kassianidou, as an accomplished member of Cyprus’s academic community, will leave her own mark on the role. She has been teaching environmental archaeology and archaeometry at the University of Cyprus since 1994.

He said it was time for Kassianidou’s skills to “leave the narrow confines of the academic community and offer themselves to all Cypriots through politics”, also describing her decision to leave behind a successful academic career as “virtuous and brave”.

He added that “courage is also needed for a woman who is new to the political arena, taking into account that the number of women who have taken ministerial positions in this country is limited”.

“Mrs Kassianidou as a woman contributes so that young girls and women of all ages identify with her and have the opportunity to see themselves in politics and believe that a seat in cabinet could be a possibility for them”, he said.

He also said “I have no doubt you have the required qualities to chart a brilliant course that will open new horizons for culture in our country”.

Christodoulides thanked outgoing deputy culture minister Michalis Hadjiyiannis for his efforts, and the work he carried out since taking up the post four months ago.

He said it was “innovative and courageous” for Hadjiyiannis to take the job.

Hadjiyiannis resigned on Tuesday, saying that he had achieved the three main goals he wanted to achieve in office.

Those goals included the professional recognition of artists, with around 2,500 being included in social security payments, pre-paid youth cards worth €200, and the exemption of taxes on funds provided as scholarships for cultural events.