The Hambis Printmaking Museum in Plataniskia has closed due to severe water damage caused by neglect from adjacent properties. Despite Hambis Tsangaris’s efforts to protect the printmaking archive and call for assistance, bureaucratic inaction has left the culturally significant museum and its heritage at risk of permanent damage.
Why has Hambis Printmaking Museum closed?
The Hambis Printmaking Museum in Plataniskia has closed due to severe water damage caused by neglect from adjacent properties. Despite Hambis Tsangaris’s efforts to protect the printmaking archive and call for assistance, bureaucratic inaction has left the culturally significant museum and its heritage at risk of permanent damage.
A Cultural Legacy at Risk
Nestled in the quaint village of Plataniskia stands the Hambis Printmaking Museum, a symbol of cultural heritage and the arts. However, its future is shrouded in uncertainty due to the unfortunate plight it faces. A catastrophe of water damage, spurred by neglect, has forced the museum to shut its doors and halt upcoming events, bar those previously arranged. The gravity of the situation was conveyed through a statement issued by the museum’s founder, Hambis Tsangaris. He didn’t mince words when he highlighted the “irresponsibility of our masters” in the face of this crisis.
A Treasure Trove in Peril
The museum, a repository of printmaking masterworks from across the globe, now stands on the brink. The unchecked seepage from an adjacent property has jeopardized the integrity of the archive, despite Tsangaris’s unyielding efforts to mitigate the damage using dehumidifiers and keeping the archive room accessible to all. Tsangaris, whose dedication to preserving European heritage earned him a Europa Nostra award, has faced a frustrating battle against bureaucracy for over half a decade.
A Plea for Preservation
Tsangaris’s struggle began five years ago when he sought the assistance of the Plataniskia community leader, leading to a visit from the technical services manager of the Limassol Turkish Cypriot property agency. However, despite the clear identification of the wet floor problem, no progress has been made. Tsangaris detailed his attempts to prompt action through letters and emails to the agency and Limassol district authorities, but to no avail.
Not a Quest for Profit, but an Offering
The printmaker’s passion project was never about personal gain; it was an altruistic offering to Cyprus. Amid his tireless advocacy to protect the museum’s heritage, Tsangaris has reached his wits’ end, declaring, “I am not begging anyone to solve the problem. I am just making it known.” The museum in old Nicosia, also operated by Tsangaris, serves as a testament to his commitment to the arts.
A Village Voice Ignored
Plataniskia, a village with a history intertwined with the island’s complex past, now witnesses a cultural institution in distress. As the museum stands silent, the echo of inaction resonates, raising concerns about the preservation of cultural landmarks and the stories they carry. It is a wake-up call for those in power, urging them to listen and to act before it is too late for the treasures that define the rich tapestry of Cyprus’s history.
Quick Recap
- The Hambis Printmaking Museum in Plataniskia has closed due to severe water damage caused by neglect from adjacent properties.
- Despite Hambis Tsangaris’s efforts to protect the printmaking archive and call for assistance, bureaucratic inaction has left the culturally significant museum and its heritage at risk of permanent damage.
- The museum, a repository of printmaking masterworks from across the globe, now stands on the brink of permanent damage.
- Tsangaris has been struggling against bureaucracy for over half a decade to address the water damage issue but has made no progress.
- The printmaker’s passion project was never about personal gain; it was an altruistic offering to Cyprus, and he is now pleading for awareness of the situation.
