On the afternoon of Friday 23 May 2025, the Municipal Museum of National History, a museum adorned with unique and rare historical exhibits from the private collection of Captain E.N. Sergios Sergios Kirkoullas, from the Middle Ages, the Byzantine period, the Greek Revolution of 1821, the Balkan and the two world wars, as well as from the National Liberation Struggle of EOKA 1955-59.

In his address, the Minister of Defence, Mr. Vassilis Palmas, said that the new Museum of the Municipality of Paralimnii - Dherynia will serve as an important centre for understanding history and the promotion of Cypriot culture. He praised the commendable initiative of the municipal authorities and stressed that the Museum's contribution to the preservation of our cultural heritage is crucial, especially for the learning youth who will have the opportunity to participate in historical knowledge.

Mr.Palmas noted that the exhibits reflect the history of the nation from the Byzantine period to the EOKA struggle, with emphasis on man and religious tradition. He stressed that the Museum is a living cultural institution, an educational institution and a reference point for the cultural identity of the country.

In turn, the Mayor of Paralimni - Deryneia said that the Museum will be a reference point for the historical memory and cultural identity of the place. He stressed that through its creation, the importance of preserving our national heritage is highlighted and the visitor is given the opportunity to get to know authentic documents of the history of Cyprus and Hellenism.

The Mayor expressed his sincere thanks to the staff of the Municipality for their contribution to the completion of the project and especially to Captain Sergis Sergiou Kirkoullas for the long-term concession of his private collection. He stressed that the exhibits, of historical and cultural value, constitute a unique narrative of the past and confirm the educational role that the Museum is called upon to play in modern society.

For his part, Mr.Sergiou stressed the importance of the Museum's existence in terms of preserving our national identity, while thanking the Minister of Defence for his presence at the inauguration and the Mayor and the Municipal Council of Paralimnii - Deryneia for the opportunity to exhibit the historical relics.

Before the opening of the inauguration, the Bishop of Constantia and Famagusta, Metropolitan Basil, performed a consecration ceremony, while the programme of the event was enriched by the music of Dimitris and Pantelina Paschali.

After the greetings, a tour of the Museum was given by Mr. Sergis Sergiou Kirkoullas.

Please note that the Municipal Museum of National History will be open Tuesday - Friday 08:00-13:00 and Saturday 09:00-14:00 and will be closed on public holidays. The entrance fee is 3 euros for persons over 12 years old, but by decision of the Paralimnii - Deryneia Municipal Council the entrance will be free of charge until 31 August 2025. For group visits and guided tours, those interested can contact 23741826, 23819322 or by mail at [email protected]

Greeting by the Minister of Defence, Mr. Vassilis Palma

We must protect culture as the apple of our eye and promote it, said Defence Minister Vassilis Palmas tonight, adding that the Paralimni National History Museum will contribute to the promotion of Cyprus' culture.

In his address at the inauguration of the Municipal Museum of National History held tonight in Paralimni, the Minister said that "the Museum will be a centre for the promotion and understanding of the history of our country. The museum "will be another important centre that will contribute to the promotion of Cyprus' culture," he said.

He added that "the establishment and operation of any History Museum contributes decisively to the preservation of material of great value and to the recording and understanding of our historical past and constitutes a clear model of historical retrospection and perception".

He described the Museum's role as "multifaceted", since, as he explained, "it is not limited to the simple safekeeping or the promotion of the treasures of the past. It extends to the preservation of our tradition and the interconnection with it, to the creation of a sense of responsibility towards our ancestors, towards future generations, and to the promotion of our culture throughout the rest of the world".

As Mr.Palmas said "in the Municipal Museum of National History of the Municipality of Paralimni - Deryneia, heirlooms related to both Greek and Cypriot history and dating back to various historical periods are kept and exhibited. Valuable objects that are documents of the history of each people, which ensure the cultural cohesion of different generations and which contribute decisively to the building of the future".

The exhibits, he continued, "are part of the private collection of Sergios Sergios Kerkullas, which were loaned on a long-term loan to the Municipality, in order to highlight their historical value, through their exhibition to the public, in a museum space of comparable value. They are classified and arranged according to the material and the period they cover.

He also noted that "the exhibits are divided into thematic sections from different historical periods, from the Byzantine period, the medieval period with emphasis on the Venetian rule, to our modern history and the EOKA struggle. The richness and uniqueness of some of the exhibits, as well as the thematic classification, emphasize on the one hand the human being and on the other hand the general history and religious tradition of the nation and our national struggles," he said.

Mr.Palmas described as "commendable the initiative of the municipal authorities, since the work that is currently being delivered to the public, contributes to the enhancement of the cultural value of Cyprus and the promotion of its history. Furthermore, the Museum will be a place of the highest educational value and historical cultivation for young students, since, in addition to the curriculum and educational programmes in schools, they will be given the opportunity of experiential participation through the halls of the new Museum".

He also noted that "culture is the indelible imprint that society produces. It is the soul of society and the one that creates indestructible bonds that contribute to its cohesion, it is the baton that is passed from generation to generation and remains indestructible in time, while creating bridges of unity, solidarity, understanding and cooperation with other peoples."

As the Minister of Defence said, "as a State, Local Government and society, we must protect culture as the apple of our eye and highlight it, recognizing museums and exhibition halls as institutions that attempt to make visitors aware of our rich history. We should highlight our monuments, cultural centres, museums and archaeological sites, but we should also attempt to provide them with all the tools to become educational institutions for our society and attractive destinations for foreign visitors."

He also expressed confidence that the new Museum will be, among other things, "a living cultural institution that will soon be established as another centre of memory and honour, which will be open to adults and children alike".