Former Municipal Hall symbolises the modern city-Old Nicosia connection, President says (pics)

We are inaugurating the new History of the city of Nicosia, said the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, speaking at a ceremony for the renovated building of the former Municipal Hall in Davila bastion.

The renovated building will become a cultural space, while it will also host activities of the Cyprus Presidency of the EU in 2026.

President Christodoulides, in his greeting on 8 February, said that the former Municipal Hall symbolises the connection point of the modern city with the old Nicosia, as it is a place identified with the History of the city and the country, noting that important people and events in Nicosia played a decisive role in the course of Cyprus' history.

"Today's divided Nicosia is nothing more than the symbol of our national problem, the Cyprus problem, and we must do everything possible so that it ceases to be the last divided capital of Europe," he said.

He noted that the former Municipal Hall is being turned into a cultural center, which is "an excellent example of the synthesis of History with modern culture, the old with the new, the preservation of historical memory and its extension into the present and the future through smart, creative, imaginative, quality and pioneering initiatives".

"I think it is no exaggeration to say that today we are not just inaugurating a renovated administrative building. With it, we are also inaugurating the new History of the city of Nicosia, which will be shaped and developed within the halls and walls of the old City Hall, through what will take place in its interior and exterior spaces" the President said.

The Mayor of Nicosia, Constantinos Yiorkadjis, referred to the history of the building and its use, noting that for more than 70 years it was the seat of the Municipality of Nicosia.

"It was our duty to renovate this building, to keep the memory alive on the one hand, and on the other hand to preserve one of the most emblematic buildings of the capital", he said, noting that the building will henceforth host municipal events as well as activities of the Cyprus Presidency of the EU in 2026.

(Source: CNA)