New Cyprus museum may not open to public until 2030, MPs hear

Nicosia, Cyprus. The new Cyprus museum is expected to be ready by February 3, 2027, but will not be delivered before 2028, MPs heard on Wednesday during a meeting with Deputy Culture Minister Clea Papaellina. House education committee chairman Chrysanthos Savvides, a Diko MP, said it appeared the museum would not open to the public until 2030.

Museum works and cultural projects

MPs heard that work on the museum’s amphitheatre had been delayed because of budget issues stalled at the finance ministry.

Papaellina said projects were being promoted to upgrade museums, archaeological sites and monuments, and to modernise handicrafts and the state archives through collaborations with cultural organisations and international bodies. She said programmes were also being implemented to support Cypriot artistic creation, stressing the importance of supporting creatives.

The deputy ministry will submit a bill establishing the status of artists by the end of the year, she told MPs.

Ministry responsibilities and other plans

Papaellina said she was “optimistic” that a solution would be found concerning the responsibilities of the deputy ministry’s permanent secretary. The issue followed negative media posts and staff walkouts over what trade union Pasydy described as repeated attempts by the permanent secretary to bring the budget under his control.

Permanent secretary Giorgos Papageorgiou referred to Larnaca’s 2030 bid for European Capital of Culture, which he said would cost €10 million. He also said the initial contract for the youth card had to be changed to extend the eligible age range for attending more events.

Asked why he had rejected a proposal for a jazz programme during Cyprus’ EU presidency in the first half of 2026, Papageorgiou questioned what jazz had to do with Cyprus. He said the proposal had been rejected because of specific prerequisites.