The Council of Ministers has approved the creation of a Cyprus Cultural Centre in Paris, along with a new post for a Cultural Attaché who will staff and coordinate its activities, Deputy Minister of Culture Vasiliki Kassianidou announced on Tuesday.
The Centre will be housed within the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus in Paris and will operate on the model of Cyprus’ existing cultural centres in Athens, London and Berlin.
Strengthening Cyprus’ cultural footprint in France
The government says the aim is to enhance the visibility of contemporary Cypriot cultural production and Cyprus’ cultural heritage, while upgrading the country’s presence in France, one of the world’s leading hubs for arts and cultural events.
The decision also reflects the strong bilateral ties between Cyprus and France, which have deepened significantly in recent years. It follows the signing of the Cyprus–France Strategic Cooperation Agreement, which covers areas such as strategic autonomy, culture, innovation, ecology, digital affairs, education and defence.
Mission and strategic role
According to the Deputy Minister, establishing the Centre is “particularly important”, as it fosters cultural extroversion and supports the development of international partnerships through knowledge exchange and co-creation on a European and global level.
Special emphasis is placed on the role of the Cultural Attaché, who will act as Cyprus’ cultural ambassador in France. The attaché will promote Cypriot culture, build collaborations with French and international artists and institutions, and support cultural programming in Paris, especially during Cyprus’ upcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2026.
The initiative aims to consolidate Cyprus’ cultural diplomacy, broaden opportunities for Cypriot creators abroad and position the country more prominently within Europe’s cultural landscape.