New Deputy Culture Minister, Vasiliki Kassianidou, who was sworn in on Friday during a ceremony attended by President, Nikos Christodoulides, assured that she will work for the recognition and for securing the rights of artists and will do her utmost to give the opportunity to young people to come into contact with the cultural creativity of the country in all its various forms. 

On his part, President Christodoulides underlined, speaking during the ceremony, that the first concern of his government is "to encourage the cultural creativity", adding that "we consider that in order to achieve this it is necessary to support the artists, who face various difficulties, due to instability and insecurity, which constitute intrinsic characteristics of this profession."

Addressing the ceremony, the President noted that he recognizes the value of culture, arts and literature for the spiritual development and for the well-being of the people of Cyprus.

Christodoulides also thanked the outgoing Deputy Culture Minister Michalis Hadjiyiannis, who resigned on Tuesday, for his efforts, and the work he carried out since taking up the post four months ago. He expressed satisfaction over the fact that measures related to culture which were announced in his election programme have been implemented or are underway to be fulfilled.

Referring to Kassianidou he noted that as an accomplished member of Cyprus’s academic community she will leave her own mark on the role. Kassianidou has been teaching environmental archaeology and archaeometry at the University of Cyprus since 1994.

Moreover, congratulating the new Deputy Minister, he expressed certainty that she will work with dedication and commitment to implement the vision of the government and support cultural activities in the country.

On her part, Kassianidou thanked the President for appointing her and assured that she will work hard, with all the staff of the Deputy Ministry, to implement the goals related to culture set out in Christodoulides' programme. 

Moreover, among others, she expressed hope that they will find ways so that the new generations will get to know the arts and the culture of the country from the ancient times until the modern era.