Conference: When the Cemetery Becomes Political – Dealing with the Religious Heritage in Cyprus and its Neighbouring Countries

The conference focusses on the way the religious heritage of “the others” is dealt with in multi-ethnic/religious countries, such as Cyprus, Lebanon and Greece. It will present a closer look at the reasons, why one group destroyed or desecrated the cemeteries and places of worship of the other group(s) during interreligious or interethnic conflicts and it will critically analyse the intentions behind such measures. The conference will give further insights into the complex and complicated interaction between religion and politics.

The panels’ topics will be

• The religious heritage in Cyprus: Legal framework and previous examinations
• Dealing with the religious heritage in the neighbouring countries
• Current developments in the northern part of Cyprus