The state has committed to assisting the Hambis Printmaking Museum in repairing flood damage, including the construction of micro-reservoirs and potential demolition work. Despite not being legally obligated, the state will bear the costs, demonstrating its dedication to preserving this cultural site.
What support has the state committed to providing for the Hambis Printmaking Museum?
The state has pledged to assist the Hambis Printmaking Museum with repairs necessary due to flood damage. This includes plans to build micro-reservoirs to redirect water and potentially involves wall insulation and partial demolition work. The state will bear the costs, despite not being legally obligated, highlighting its goodwill towards preserving this cultural hub. Consent from neighboring property owners is crucial for the plan’s execution.
Pledging Support to the Hambis Printmaking Museum
In the idyllic village of Plataniskia, the renowned Hambis Printmaking Museum has faced significant challenges due to water damage. Marios Alexandrou, the Limassol district administrator, has recently made a commitment. The state, he declared, will assist with necessary repairs to the museum, subject to the agreement of the lessors of two neighboring properties.
A Beacon of Culture in Peril
Hambis Tsangaris, the founder of the museum and a recipient of the Europa Nostra award, voiced his concerns to the Cyprus News Agency. Despite an engineer’s assessment from the Limassol district administration, Tsangaris expressed reservations about the forthcoming steps. He lamented that a solution, which could have been executed within two hours, has been pending for five years.
Previously, Tsangaris had penned an open letter castigating the local authorities for their inaction, despite his repeated alerts over the years. The museum, a treasure trove of printmaking art and education, had to halt all operations due to the extensive water damage threatening its archive room.
The Complexity of the Issue
The root of the problem seems to originate from a well in a nearby house, as discovered by the assessing engineer. Tsangaris recounted the museum’s history since 1994, noting that such issues of moisture had never arisen before 2018. Despite the warm response from various state bodies and the public to his plight, especially on social media, the question of concrete actions remains.
State Intervention in a Cultural Conundrum
Alexandrou clarified that, technically, the state bears no obligation for the museum’s upkeep, as it’s classified as a business rather than a residence. Nonetheless, in a gesture of goodwill towards this hub of culture, initial inspections were conducted. To address the issue, wall insulation would be necessary, potentially involving partial demolition of the neighboring house. Moreover, the soil’s quality in the area has been a contributing factor to the moisture issue.
With plans to build micro-reservoirs to redirect the water, Alexandrou confirmed that the state would shoulder the costs for these works, notwithstanding the lack of legal mandate. The consent of the adjacent properties’ owners remains pivotal, and their response is eagerly awaited.
Honoring a Commitment to Culture
The artist, Tsangaris, reflects on his clear conscience, having devoted his efforts to the museum since its opening in 2008. With a combination of hope and anticipation, he awaits the possibility of a new beginning for this esteemed cultural institution.
Quick Recap
- The state has committed to assisting the Hambis Printmaking Museum in repairing flood damage, including the construction of micro-reservoirs and potential demolition work.
- The state is not legally obligated to provide support but is bearing the costs as a demonstration of its dedication to preserving the cultural site.
- The repairs will require the consent of neighboring property owners.
- The museum founder, Hambis Tsangaris, has expressed reservations about the forthcoming steps and criticized the local authorities for their inaction.
- The root of the problem is believed to be a nearby well, and the state plans to address the issue through wall insulation, potential partial demolition, and the construction of micro-reservoirs.
