Tuncay: Preservation Work Underway at Around 70 Cemeteries Across Cyprus

In a written statement, Tuncay said the programme includes projects launched before the two leaders reached an agreement on cemetery preservation and now covers around 70 cemeteries across the island.

He said the work includes repairing and preserving perimeter walls, reinforcing and restoring existing graves, clearing weeds and overgrown vegetation, and landscaping aimed at improving the overall appearance and dignity of the cemeteries.

Tuncay added that, under the agreed framework, families wishing to do so are now able to replace the headstones of their relatives using their own resources. He noted that significant work has also been carried out at Turkish cemeteries and martyrs' cemeteries in southern Cyprus.

The sites where conservation and restoration work has been carried out so far include:

• Geçitkale (Köfünye) Cemetery
• Boğaziçi (Aytotoro) Cemetery
• Aksu (Anglisides) Cemetery
• Vuda Cemetery
• Larnaca Cami-i Kebir Ottoman Cemetery
• Tatlısu (Mari) Cemetery
• Taşkent (Tochni) Cemetery
• Pyrga-Larnaca Cemetery
• Ötüken (Mennoya) Cemetery
• Lefkara Cemetery
• Alaminos Martyrs' Cemetery
• Tuzla Martyrs' Cemetery
• Düzkaya (Evdim) Martyrs' Cemetery
• Yeşilyurt (Mandria) Martyrs' Cemetery
• Bağlarbaşı (Malya) Martyrs' Cemetery

Tuncay said families wishing to renew headstones at cemeteries where basic conservation work has been completed should contact him to receive information on the necessary coordination and procedures.

He said the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage stands ready to provide guidance and technical support throughout the process.

Tuncay also noted that the graves of martyrs at the Bağlarbaşı (Malya), Alaminos, Düzkaya (Evdim), Yeşilyurt (Mandria) and Tuzla martyrs' cemeteries have been fully restored using funding provided by the Turkish Cypriot side.

He added that restoration of martyrs' graves at other cemeteries will be carried out gradually using additional funding from the Turkish Cypriot side.

Looking ahead, Tuncay said new conservation projects will begin in the coming weeks at Turkish cemeteries in the Limassol area, with the programme later expanding in phases to include Turkish cemeteries in other parts of southern Cyprus.

He stressed that preserving cemeteries is important not only for safeguarding cultural heritage but also as a matter of respect for the past and a shared humanitarian responsibility.

Tuncay said the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage would continue its work in a spirit of mutual respect, cooperation and the preservation of Cyprus' shared cultural heritage.