Following a proposal by ICOMOS, the 18th April as of 1983, has been designated by UNESCO as the International Day for Monuments and Sites. It is celebrated each year with events that aim to make the public aware of their cultural heritage. Citizens are encouraged through a number of events to learn about and appreciate all forms of their heritage. Each year a different topic is promoted and all events are organized so as to incorporate the specific theme. The theme for 2013 is “The Heritage of Education”.

The aim of this year’s theme is to promote an aspect of our cultural heritage, which consists the most evident source of culture. Education, which is frequently pushed aside as the product of cultural identity and is only promoted as the moving force for the creation of works of culture, is brought forward. The schools, which have been listed as Ancient Monuments, are presented to the public, highlighting their significance in the creation of cultural and national consciousness.

The Ministry of Communications and Works, Department of Antiquities, announces that on the occasion of the International Day of Monuments and Sites, entry to the following archaeological sites and ancient monuments on 18 April 2013 will be free of charge:

1. Archaeological site of Tamassos, Politiko
2. “Royal Chapel”, Pyrga
3. Archaeological site of Kition, Larnaka
4. Neolithic site, Choirokoitia
5. Archaeological site of Tenta, Kalavasos
6. Archaeological site of Kourion, Episkopi
7. Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates, Episkopi
8. Kolossi Castle
9. Archaeological site of Amathus, Ayios Tychon
10. Archaeological site of Kato Paphos (Mosaics)
11. Necropolis “The Tombs of the Kings”, Kato Paphos
12. Archaeological site of Palaepaphos, Kouklia
13. Archaeological site of Ayios Georgios, Pegia
14. Paphos Castle
15. Larnaka Castle

Apart from the main event, entitled “School, Monument in Time…”, organized by the Department of Antiquities in collaboration with the Community of Pera Oreinis, that will be held on Thursday 18 April 2013 at 18:30 at the Cultural Centre of Pera Oreinis, the following events will also take place:

LIMASSOL DISTRICT

KOLOSSI CASTLE
Wednesday 17 April 2013
3rd Public Kindergarten of Ypsonas
• 9:00-10:00 Acquaintance with the Castle by the students
• 11:00-12:00 «Once upon a time the kids became knights», play performed by the students
• 12:00-12:20 Acquaintance with the chapel of St. Eustathios
• 12:20-12:40 Art class in the Castle’s garden
• 9:30-12:30 Exhibition of clay castle models made by the children.

Thursday 18 April 2013
1st Elementary School of Kolossi
• 9:00-10:30 Presentation of the history of the Castle and short play by the students
• 10:30-12:00 Presentation to the public of the students’ research
• Art Exhibition “Cypriot Tradition”
• Art class in the Castle’s garden

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE OF KOURION
Thursday 18 April 2013
1st Elementary School of Ypsonas
• 9:45 Guided tours by students at the House of Eustolius and the Theatre
• 10:30 Art Exhibition (mosaics, masks)
• 11:00 Play performed by the students

MUSEUM OF EDUCATION, VASA KOILANIOU
Thursday 18 April 2013
• 9:30 Educational programme with elementary school students
• 11:00 Guided tour and attendance of an educational programme by the Minister of Education and Culture, Mr Kyriakos Kenevezo and other officials.


PATTICHEIO MUNICIPAL MUSEUM
Thursday 18 April 2013
• 10:30- 12 “From Amathus to Limassol”, educational programme for Gymnasium and Lyceum students
 Screening of a film and guided tour at the museum
 Projection and description of 19th century photographic material from the archive collection by the Officer of the Historical Archive, Mr Dimitris Theodorou
 Speech on the topic “ Limassol of the yesterday and today” by the Academic Director, Mr. Mimis Sofokleous


PAPHOS DISTRICT

TOMBS OF THE KINGS
Sunday 14 April 2013
District Orchestra of Nicosia Schools
• 10:30-11:00 Acoustic concert

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE OF KATO PAPHOS
Thursday 18 April 2013
13th Elementary School of Paphos
• “Three myths and a symposium at the Paphos’ mosaics”, starts at 10:00am.
 Guided tours at the site offered by the students
 Revival of the Roman everyday life by the students based on mosaics in the House of Dionysu’s.
• Art and mosaic exhibition
• Photographic exhibition

LARNACA DISTRICT

LARNACA CASTLE
Thursday 18 April 2013
1st Elementary School of St. Lazarus (UNESCO Associated School)
• Once upon a time…!
Join us to learn about the Castle of our town
9:30-12:30 Guided tours in the Castle as part of a treasure hunt

NICOSIA DISTRICT

LEVENTIS MUNICIPAL MUSEUM OF NICOSIA
Thursday 18 April 2013
American International School, in collaboration with the Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia
• “Educating Heritage in Nicosia During the Period of British Administration”.
12:00-14:00 Guided tours by the students in the Museum in English and Greek.
Saturday 20 April 2013
11:00-13:30 Guided tours by the students in the Museum in English and Greek

MUSEUM OF PANCYPRIAN GYMNASIUM
Wednesday 17 April 2013
19:00pm. “The circle of poetry”, poetry and music evening with poetry recited by the students of the Pancyprian Gymnasium and of: Alexandra Galanou, Nasa Patapiou, Christodoulos Kallinou, Vakis Loizides and Nikos Rolandis, alumnus of the School. A reception will be held at the Museum gardens.
Thursday 18 April 2013
Guided tours by the Museum’s Curator.
11:00 in Greek
12:00 in English

PERA OREINIS
Saturday and Sunday 20-21 April 2013
• Historical walks/ guided tours at the Pera Oreinis archaeological monuments.

A programme of events will be available to the public at ancient monuments, archaeological sites and museums of the Department of Antiquities.