NetMAR partners were all together again in one place, this time in Cyprus, as part of the NetMAR Coordination Support Action 3rd Exchange Visit.

 

Teams from the Centre for Medieval Literature (CML) at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) and the Centre for Medieval Studies (ZeMas) at the University of Bamberg (UNI BA) enjoyed the hospitality of CeMAR.cy at the University of Cyprus (UCY).

 

During the first day of the visit, NetMAR partners enjoyed a welcome and guided tour by the Vice-Director of the UCY Library, Elena Diomidi-Parpouna, and a presentation of the UCY’s collection of old and rare books by Dr Natasha Constantinidou. In addition, Dr Marios Demetriades, Head of UCY Research & Innovation Support Service (RISS) and Executive Director of the European Office of Cyprus welcomed the NetMAR partners and gave a presentation on UCY's success in securing European and other external funding.

 

The NetMAR partners had also the opportunity to visit the UCY Archaeological Research Unit (ARU) whose work and achievements were presented by the Unit's Director Dr Thanasis Vionis. Another member of the ARU, Dr Michalis Olympios spoke about the journal Frankokratia: A Journal for the Study of Greek Lands under Latin Rule in his capacity as Frankokratia's co-editor. A postdoctoral researcher of the ARU, Dr Ourania Perdiki presented her project on pilgrimage in Byzantine and Medieval Cyprus, and finally the Chair of the Dept. of History and Archaeology, Dr Maria Parani gave a paper entitled “A Window into 13th-century Lusignan Cyprus: The Painted Decoration of the Church of the Transfiguration at Sotera (Famagusta District).” The visit at ARU ended with a screening of an award-winning documentary film about the old village of Fikardou that was made by graduate students of the Dept. of History and Archaeology.

 

On the second day of the visit, UCY NetMAR ESRs offered guided walks and tours in Nicosia and Nicosia museums including the Leventis Municipal Museum, the Mansion of Hadjigeorgakis Kornesios - Ethnological Museum, and the Archeological Museum.

 

On the last day of the visit, the partners participated in an excursion to Troodos Mountains and had the pleasure to attend the guided tours provided once again by UCY NetMAR ESRs to four of the painted Byzantine monuments included in the UNESCO World Heritage List: the church of Panagia of Asinou, the monastery of Saint John Lampadistes in Kalopanagiotis, the church of Panagia of Moutoulla, and the church of Archangelos Michael in Pedoulas.

 

For more info on NetMAR Exchange Visits, please visit NetMAR.cy site at https://netmar.cy/events/exchange-visits/