“Sustainable Approaches to the Preservation and Restoration of Religious Buildings” Symposium Completed Successfully
“Sustainable Approaches to the Preservation and Restoration of Religious Buildings” Symposium Completed Successfully
The “Sustainable Approaches in the Protection and Restoration of Religious Structures” symposium, organized in collaboration with the Cyprus Foundations Administration, the General Directorate of Foundations of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey and the Faculty of Architecture of the Eastern Mediterranean University, was successfully hosted by the Cyprus Foundations Administration. The symposium provided an opportunity for experts in the protection and restoration of historical structures to come together.
At the opening of the symposium, Prof. Dr. Zeynep Ahunbay gave her invited speech titled “Restoration and Protection of Religious Structures”. The program then continued with presentations on the protection of religious structures in Cyprus. In the first session, Ali Tuncay addressed the topic of “Sustainable Approaches in Cultural Heritage Technical Committee Projects”, while Assoc. Prof. Dr. Arzu Alibaba provided information on “Protection of Cultural Assets in TRNC Law”. Prof. Dr. Asu Tozan drew attention with her presentation titled “Architectural Reading of Religious Structures in Cyprus”.
In addition, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ege Uluca Tümer spoke on “The Role of EMU Conservation and Master’s Program in the Conservation Future of Northern Cyprus.” Asst. Prof. Dr. Öznem Şahali discussed “Masonry Buildings Facing Earthquakes: Architectural and Social Responsibility,” while Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hacer Başarır Dindiç made a presentation titled “Refunctioning as a Tool for Cultural Sustainability.”
In the afternoon, Prof. Dr. Gianmarco De Felice gave invited speeches on “Earthquake Assessment and Strengthening of Churches: A General Overview” and Prof. Dr. Mustafa Özder Erdik gave invited speeches on “Earthquake Performance of Hagia Sophia.”
In the second session of the symposium, under the title of “Conservation Practices: The Example of Lefkoşa Selimiye Mosque,” Prof. Dr. Alper İlki, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ayşe Esin Kuleli and Prof. Dr. Experts such as Bekir Eskici shared important information about the restoration process of Selimiye Mosque. In addition, in the session titled “Durability of Historical Structures and Earthquake”, Prof. Dr. Hatice Pamir and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mert Nezih Rifaioğlu made evaluations about the durability of historical structures through the example of Antakya.
At the end of the symposium, a panel was held on “Lefkoşa Selimiye Mosque Restoration Process Experience”. In the panel, Şengül Koncagül (Head of Artworks and Construction Works Department, General Directorate of Foundations of the Republic of Turkey), Esin Serttaş Yaren (Restoration Expert Architect), Mustafa Uzun (Civil Engineer) and Soner Uğurlu (Restorer) shared their experiences with the participants.
A photo exhibition depicting the restoration process of Selimiye Mosque was also held during the symposium. Participants had the opportunity to examine the stages of the restoration work. During the gala dinner, participants shared their experiences and had the chance to establish new collaborations.
In addition, it is planned to compile the papers presented at the symposium and prepare a booklet in the future. This booklet will make an important contribution to the literature by ensuring that information and experiences on the preservation of religious structures in Cyprus reach a wider audience.