Reopening of the Institute of Cyprus Studies: Join the celebrations!

Reopening of the Institute of Cyprus Studies: Join the celebrations!

The Institute for Interdisciplinary Cyprus Studies at the Westphalian Wilhelms University of Münster will be ceremoniously reopened on July 3, 2025 after a four-year break. This reopening follows the retirement of former managing director Dr. Sabine Rogge, who ended her term of office at the end of 2020. The ceremony will take place in the Fürstenberghaus, Domplatz 20-22, and begins at 5 p.m. in lecture hall F 5.

Guests include the Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus, Maria Papakyriakou. Prof. Dr. Peter Funke will explain the history of the institute, while Prof. Dr. Michael Grünbart will present new perspectives for the future work of the institute. The event concludes with a reception in the neighboring Archaeological Museum. Interested parties are invited to register for the event by email to by1453@uni-muenster.de by June 25th.

New objectives and possibilities

The institute aims to promote relations between research institutions in Cyprus and the European Union. A central aspect of the new direction is the exchange of students and scientists. The institute will also establish a network for anyone interested in Cyprus studies.

In addition, various projects related to Cyprus are to be developed that support economic, ecological and cultural cooperation. This is complemented by the long-standing tradition of the institute, which has contributed to scientific research around Cyprus both nationally and internationally since its founding in 1996.

Historical context

In October 2006, on the occasion of the institute's 10th anniversary, an interdisciplinary conference took place that brought together scientists from different nations. The theme of the conference focused on “Cyprus and the Near East in the 19th century” and offered a space for valuable academic exchange.

The discussions covered, among other things, the “Oriental Question” and the role of European states in Cyprus and the Levant. These events were marked by a series of more or less legal excavations, the scientific value of which was often questioned. Such topics also form an important starting point in the current direction of the institute.

Publications and research contributions

The institute has published its own scientific series, which is published by Waxmann Verlag. This series contains important volumes that deal with various facets of Cyprus's cultural history. Works that have already been published include topics such as the importance of Cyprus as a cultural island and the connection to the Levant.

The reopening of the institute ushers in a new era that not only refers to research work from the past, but also opens up new perspectives for the future. Committed scientists and students can look forward to the diverse opportunities that the institute will offer. Continuous collaboration and the development of groundbreaking projects will have a lasting impact on the image of Cyprus studies.

Overall, the reopening of the institute represents a significant step towards promoting interdisciplinary Cyprus studies, which is of great importance for both science and cultural exchange.