A new public artwork in Protaras is turning a coastal promenade into a place of reflection, memory and national significance.
The sculpture, Cyprus’ journey through the ages, by acclaimed Cypriot artist Philippos Yiapanis, was unveiled on Saturday, September 19, in the Xistaria area of the Lefkolla promenade. The work, which was previously presented in Salamina, Attica, traces Cyprus’s long historical trajectory while underscoring the enduring ties between Cypriot Hellenism and Greece.
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A Landmark With Historical Weight
Set against the view of occupied Famagusta and ancient Salamis, the sculpture carries a symbolism that extends beyond aesthetics. Its location lends the piece a powerful commemorative dimension, linking remembrance with continuity and hope.
Installed in a prominent public space, the artwork also adds a cultural layer to Protaras, offering residents and visitors a new landmark where art intersects with collective memory and history.
A Donation Rooted In Memory And Identity
The sculpture was donated by the company and family of Chrysostomos and Katerina Papavassiliou and installed with the support of the Municipality of Paralimni-Deryneia. The unveiling took place under the auspices of the Deputy Ministry of Culture.
Chrysostomos Papavassiliou, chairman and chief executive of Limassol-based Island Oil Holdings, said the piece speaks directly to Cyprus’s unresolved division.
He described the sculpture as a deeply symbolic work, noting that Yiapanis had created “half a boat, half an occupied Cyprus,” and calling it “a journey that remains unfinished.”
He added that the artwork is also “a cry of pain for those who were lost forever, those who remain missing, and our uprooted compatriots.”
A Message Aimed At The Future
For Papavassiliou, the donation is not only an act of remembrance but also a statement of intent.
“For us, this donation represents a small contribution to the fight against oblivion,” he said, describing it as “an expression of hope for the reunification of our beloved homeland under conditions of peace, security and respect for our cultural heritage, and through the implementation of the European acquis.”
The company also thanked Yiapanis, Paralimni-Deryneia Mayor Giorgos Nikolettos, and the Municipal Council for their contribution to the cultural life of the area, as well as the Deputy Ministry of Culture and all those involved in organizing and completing the ceremony.
