It is a pleasure for me to write the foreword to this publication which catalogues the collection of artwork owned by the Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC).
Art and culture are excellent ambassadors for the promotion of a country outside its borders. It is no coincidence that, apart from economic diplomacy, emphasis is now given to cultural diplomacy. The CBC similarly seeks to encourage and support the arts and culture in Cyprus, promoting their potential at every opportunity.
This publication marks the occasion of the first Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2012 and gives a glimpse into the interesting and varied world of Cypriot art.
Imagine there was a cultural bank where we could save the contributions of all creative people, we would have built up a huge cultural capital. I consider the CBC’s collection, which has been built over a period of about 25 years and consists of more than 200 works of art, to be part of Cyprus’s cultural capital. The collection is comprised of creations which express the human spirit, altruism, solidarity and the history and virtues of our island created by renowned Cypriot artists who are no longer alive as well as by contemporary artists in their most creative period.
Artists in all societies have a knack of capturing the zeitgeist of their time. Through their work, we see the differences, the sensitivity and the value systems which existed in societies through the ages. They describe in their own way historical events, overcoming obstacles and meeting new challenges through the creative process, imbuing us with new ideas. In periods of crisis, they help us regain our perspective and summon up our strength to escape the status quo.
I welcome this initiative and congratulate those who have made it possible for us to experience through this publication a visual tour of the CBC’s art collection, which has been curated with great care. I encourage them to continue with their endeavours, indulging us in all the magic of creation, ideas and colour.
Panicos O. Demetriades
Governor
Central Bank of Cyprus
November 2012
Author: Central Bank of Cyprus
Language: Greek and English
Publisher: Central Bank of Cyprus
ISBN: 978-9963-9303-5-7
Year: 2012
Available from: Central Bank of Cyprus, 80 Kennedy Avenue, 1076 Nicosia, Cyprus
Price: €9.50 (incl. VAT). All proceeds from the sale of the book will be given to charity.