Europa Nostra appeals to United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to champion the revitalisation of the Buffer Zone heritage in Nicosia, Cyprus
Read/share the letter to the United Nations Secretary-General (PDF)
Image credits: Europa Nostra Heritage Hub in Nicosia
On the occasion of the visit of United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to Cyprus on 28 July 2026, the Europa Nostra Heritage Hub in Nicosia was present at a meeting with about 30 other civil society representatives from both communities.
Androulla Vassiliou, Vice-President of Europa Nostra and Leader of the Europa Nostra Heritage Hub in Nicosia, highlighted the need for the restoration and revitilisation of the cultural heritage of the Buffer Zone of the walled city of Nicosia, which is a necessary precondition for the unification of Cyprus’ capital. She stressed that the efforts to preserve and protect the Buffer Zone have the support of the Leaders of the two communities of Nicosia, Mr Charalambos Prountzos and Mr Mehmet Harmancı, and should be included as a proposed confidence-building measure.
Her remarks build on a letter, signed by Androulla Vassiliou and Prof. Dr. Hermann Parzinger, Executive President of Europa Nostra, given to the delegation that urges the United Nations to revitalise the Buffer Zone in order to rebuild trust and mutual respect between the island’s communities while safeguarding one of Europe’s most remarkable historic urban landscapes.
“Cultural heritage has repeatedly demonstrated its capacity to bring people together across political divides,” it states. “The revitalisation of the Buffer Zone of Nicosia could become a flagship project that contributes both to preserving our shared heritage and to advancing the long-awaited reunification of Cyprus.”
Image credits: Europa Nostra Heritage Hub in Nicosia
The appeal reflects the long-standing commitment of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot heritage professionals and numerous civil society organisations that, despite decades of division, have continued to work together through culture. Their bi-communal initiatives have earned wide European recognition through the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards.
The appeal also builds on the momentum generated during the European Cultural Heritage Summit 2026 “Heritage as the Soul of Mare Nostrum”, organised by Europa Nostra and the Europa Nostra Heritage Hub in Nicosia from 26 to 30 May 2026.
During the Summit, participants witnessed the remarkable commitment of heritage professionals from both communities, alongside the shared determination of the two leaders, Mr Charalambos Prountzos and Mr Mehmet Harmancı, to bring the divided city closer together. Europa Nostra believes that the revitalisation of the Buffer Zone within Nicosia’s historic Venetian Walls offers a unique opportunity to translate this political will into tangible action.
As renewed diplomatic efforts get underway in Cyprus, Europa Nostra hopes that cultural heritage can play a central role in building confidence between the two communities and demonstrating how the protection of shared heritage can contribute to a more peaceful and united future for the island.
