Ladies and gentlemen,

Distinguished guests,

I warmly welcome you to tonight’s sixth annual award ceremony since the establishment of the Nemitsas Foundation in 2009. This year, 2015, the award is dedicated to the field of fine arts.

Politicians rarely express themselves on fine arts. I wish to be frank and honest. We rarely do so because it is a field with which, as a general rule, most of us have little affinity. Perhaps, we are even intimidated by artists due to the fact that they express themselves in a very different way to us. They express themselves through their work, which is sometimes allegorical, other times hyperbolic, surrealist or even at times harshly realist.
We, the politicians, often say that we deal with day-to-day issues, that we are pragmatic. We also often say that we like to resolve –or in the opinions of others to create- problems.
Regardless, politicians and artists are united by a crucial common point: politicians, as well as artists, have an obligation to contribute to the development of society, of a world with critically thinking citizens. Each, with their own way and means: politicians, with their interventions and with legislation, and artists, with the sharpening of senses and the quest of meaning beyond the obvious.
Fine arts is a concept inextricably linked and traditionally associated with culture. In their contemporary form fine arts touch on history, archeology, on each and every science, even on politics.
As I read the impressive biography of today’s honoree, it is evident that Christodoulos Panayiotou has achieved distinctions through his art, in a cosmopolitan manner, achieving something that for many seems perhaps impossible: to live at the edge of the world –if you allow me that expression- and to do so by utilizing at times even a tiny old picture of our small island.
While there are many distinguished personalities, experts on art who can testify to the artistic stature of Christodoulos Panayiotou, I wish to highlight the fact that Christodoulos is a most well-educated citizen of the world. He is someone who can create art in Brazil with references to the history of Cyprus. And what is remarkable is that wherever he is he manages to stir the interest of the audience.
I congratulate you on your choice; I congratulate the international committee of critics, based in Paris, for the challenging task it has successfully carried out.
The NEMITSAS Award is a relatively new institution, which becomes more important every year with its exceptional, timely and topical choices It brings to the forefront distinguished Cypriots, who live and work abroad or in Cyprus, whom we would probably have never had the opportunity to meet, had the Nemitsas Foundation not taken the excellent initiative to honour them.
I would like to highlight the particular symbolism of the timing chosen for these awards –the first days of October-, linking in this way this award to exceptional Cypriots with the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus.
The first award ceremony was in November 2010, on the occasion of the fifty years since the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus. During that first ceremony, a donation by the Nemitsas Foundation to the Republic of Cyprus was announced.
Allow me to pay tribute to the work of the Nemitsas Foundation, and to the generosity of Takis and Loukis Nemitsa, who donated the Foundation, with all its movable and immovable property to the Republic of Cyprus. I must also refer to the fact that the Governing Council of the Nemitsas Foundation, as well as the Academic Council, the Secretary and the Coordinator of the Foundation, whose contribution is certainly invaluable, operate selflessly, on an unpaid basis.
Today’s honouring of a distinguished artist, who has truly excelled, constitutes yet another opportunity to bring to the forefront our ability as a country to have a creative path to the future.
I believe that the recent economic crisis, which has had a serious impact on Cypriot citizens, has taught us a lot. One of the lessons we must all draw from the crisis is that we must be decisive. Delaying necessary action –due to fear perhaps- of political cost can be very detrimental to the country. Economic developments are rapid, particularly when credibility and trust are eroded, and recession can follow in a speedy, spiral manner.
The second lesson we can draw is that promoting structural reforms delivers even in the short term. In Cyprus it was the loss of confidence that led to the whirlwind of events. To regain the credibility and trust, effective action and real reform is required. Commitment and decisiveness are vital.
It is universally accepted that the full benefits of the structural reforms are obtained in the long term, and in the case of Cyprus, even a long time after the government’s term. Nonetheless, structural reforms are of utmost importance also in the short term, because they act as a catalyst for regaining the country’s lost credibility and trust.
We have every reason to be hopeful and optimistic about the future. I will not elaborate further on the economic and social measures taken by the government, and the major reforms that are underway.
I would, however, like to underline that a source of optimism is that we are in midst of a crucial, difficult but at the same time hopeful negotiating process for a solution to the Cyprus problem. If we succeed in reaching a comprehensive settlement, firmly anchored on European values and principles, I have no doubt that our future will be most promising, and that Cyprus and its people will prosper in a secure, modern European country, in which we will honour distinguished Cypriots in all fields.
And it is in this effort that we, the politicians, should emulate these gifted artists such as Christodoulos Panayiotou, to transform our vision into a creation that will bring about admiration and praise by all those who will be fortunate to experience it.
Dear Christodoulos, we thank you for the honour and pride that you offer us through your art and distinctions.
At the same time, I wish to thank the Takis and Loukis Nemitsas Foundation for its contribution to our country.