Cyprus’ first deputy minister for culture Yiannis Toumazis on Monday was sworn in during a special ceremony at the Presidential Palace.
Toumazis, a prominent figure in the arts community, was appointed by President Nicos Anastasiades in April.
He has already sent the message that there is a lot to be done for the island’s cultural product which has “great potential”.
Born in Famagusta, Toumazis studied civil engineering at Athens National Polytechnic, stage design at the School of the Arts of Utrecht in the Netherlands, and aesthetics and theory of art at the University of Amiens in France where he obtained his doctorate.
He is a professor of history and theory of art at Frederick University, coordinator of the doctoral studies programme and has many publications.
Since 1994, he has been the director of the Nicosia Arts Centre and the Pierides Foundation.
