Larnaca, Cyprus. The House refugee committee on Tuesday called for an immediate halt to rent increase notices for artists and craftsmen operating in Turkish Cypriot properties at the Mesoyios artists’ park in Larnaca. The decision was taken during a session attended by deputy culture minister Vasiliki Kassianidou.
Committee position and concerns over increases
Committee chair and Akel MP Nikos Kettiros said the park has developed “a special cultural and touristic profile”, largely shaped by displaced artists who had “created a distinctive cultural product for Larnaca”. He cited an informal understanding that rents would remain low to support the artists and the area, but said reports had emerged of significant increases.
Earlier discussions referred to rises of up to 80 per cent. Under a revised regulatory framework, provisions allow for increases of 60 per cent in professional leases, alongside a circular suggesting a starting point of 25 per cent for continued use.
Kettiros said the positions of local stakeholders, including Larnaca municipality and the deputy ministries of culture and tourism, should be taken into account, as they seek to sustain and upgrade the area.
Lawmakers’ comments on displaced artists and policy
Disy MP Rita Theodorou Superman said she aligned with the consensus and described the contribution of the artists as “unique”. She said state policy towards displaced persons should be grounded in fairness rather than charity, adding that they have lost their property and are trying to rebuild their lives. She questioned why the state, as administrator of Turkish Cypriot properties, cannot adopt a differentiated approach compared to private landlords.
Diko MP Zacharias Koulias called for the establishment of a formal framework to address such cases, saying that although the rents involved are relatively low, “the management must help”.
How should the state balance regulatory rent increases with support for displaced artists working in Turkish Cypriot properties?
