Organizational and Cultural Cohesion
In recent years, Russian language and culture are strengthening their positions on the island. For example, in 2000, a monument to the great Russian poet Alexander Pushkin was opened in a city park in Limassol and locals refer to the city as “Limassolgrad”. Last year, a monument to the first Russian pilgrim to Cyprus, Father Daniel, was erected on Stavrovouni Monastery. In 2010 the Russian Orthodox Church has received title to a parcel of land near the city of Limassol, Cyprus. The deed was transferred on November 19 to the benefactor's council for the construction of the Church of Russian orthodox St. Nicholas Cathedral. The church will become the main Orthodox church for the Russian-speaking community on the island.
Members of the Russian diaspora in Cyprus have taken further steps toward organizational cohesion. A striking example of this was the first conference of Russian compatriots in Cyprus, which was held at the Russian Center for Science and Culture in Nicosia on December 20, 2008. At this very representative forum, which was attended by delegates from 33 Russian organizations in Cyprus and representatives from the Russian embassy, a range of issues related to “Russian Cyprus” was discussed. Prospects for the consolidation of Russian communities on the island, problems related to preserving and promoting Russian language and culture, and protecting the civil and socioeconomic rights of Russian compatriots were among the topics covered. The conference adopted a draft concept on how Russian organizations on the island should function in light of these goals.
Read more about this topic: Russians In Cyprus
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