For the first time, the Louvre Museum is showcasing a collection of Cypriot archaeology. This exhibition features 16 significant artifacts loaned by the Department of Antiquities from the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Cyprus. The display includes a unique digital experience that enriches the visitor’s understanding of Cyprus’s ancient heritage.
Highlights of the Exhibition
The showcased items include emblematic pieces such as picrolite idols from Mount Troodos and an inscribed copper ingot discovered in one of Enkomi’s sanctuaries. These artifacts provide insights into material culture and trade during the Chalcolithic and Bronze Ages.
Significant Artifacts Featured
- Archaic terracotta votive statues from Ayia Irini, unearthed by a Swedish mission in the 1930s.
- Calcareous ex-voto discovered at Golgoï by the Count de Vogüé’s mission in the 1860s.
- A notable statue of Asklépios from Paphos, highlighting the significance of Cyprus in medicine.
Cultural Insights and Experience
Visitors can delve into a sensory journey enriched by excerpts from the poems of George Seferis and Constantin Cavafy, as well as traditional Cypriot chants. This combination of tangible artifacts and intangible cultural heritage highlights the richness of Cypriot culture throughout history.
Collaboration and Context
This exhibition is crucial in the context of Cyprus holding the presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2026. It is organized in partnership with several institutions, including the Ministry of Culture of Cyprus and the University of Cyprus. The curators, George Papasavvas and Artemis Georgiou from the University of Cyprus, along with Hélène Le Meaux from the Louvre, have played pivotal roles in bringing this cultural showcase to life.
Overall, the exhibition at the Louvre demonstrates the enduring significance of Cypriot culture and its contributions to the broader tapestry of European heritage.
