Related Events to the Exhibition 'Cyprus: Crossroads of Civilizations' in Washington

WASHINGTON, Nov. 22, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus in the United States of America, in collaboration with The Smithsonian Associates, organized a lecture entitled "Timeless Cyprus" on Tuesday, November, 16 2010, at the National Museum of Natural History, in Washington.

The lecture is the first of a series of events that the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus is organizing during the next six months, to highlight and promote Cyprus' history and culture in the USA. These events are taking place in relation to the exhibition "Cyprus: Crossroads of Civilizations" presented at the National Museum of Natural History through May 1, 2011.

The lecture was given by Dr. Stuart Swiny, Director of the Institute of Cypriot Studies, State University of New York at Albany, a distinguished archaeologist who carried out several archaeological excavations and surveys in Cyprus related to the Bronze Age. During his introductory remarks the Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to Washington, Mr. Paulos Anastasiades, referred to the importance of the exhibition "Cyprus: Crossroads of Civilizations" presented at the National Museum of Natural History since September 29, 2010, as well as to the different events taking place to make the Cypriot cultural heritage known in the U.S.

In his lecture, Dr. Swiny provided an overview of the different eras that marked the antiquity in Cyprus. Using arguments and examples from the exhibits presented in the exhibition "Cyprus: Crossroads of Civilizations," he stressed the special character of the Cypriot identity, which emerged and maintained through the centuries. Dr. Swiny also referred to the perceptions and cultural traditions in Cyprus during the antiquity, many of which remain part of today's everyday life, maintaining their primary role over the years.

The event had great success as it was attended by many members of The Smithsonian Associates and the Smithsonian Institution as well as by a large number of distinguished guests, including the diplomatic corps, academics and journalists. After the lecture, participants took a tour of the exhibition and enjoyed a reception featuring the foods and wine of Cyprus.

The next lecture "Cyprus: Culinary Crossroads of the Mediterranean" will take place on December 8th.

This press release is being distributed by Qorvis Communications on behalf of the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus.  Additional information is available at the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C.

www.cyprusembassy.net

SOURCE Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus