The Department of Antiquities has announced the opening of an art exhibition titled “How She Moved” at the Archaeological Museum of Pafos District, running from March 29 to May 29, 2025. This exhibition delves into the worship of the Great Goddess of Cyprus through a collaborative effort involving two visual artists and a poet.
The showcased works examine the perception and representation of Aphrodite’s body from an archaeological viewpoint. According to the press release, “Their works explore the worship of the Great Goddess of Cyprus, who was historically depicted as a conical Baetylus in ancient Pafos, and traces the evolution of Aphrodite’s worship during the Hellenistic period when she was identified with the Greek goddess of love, as well as the various ways the mythology of the Goddess is connected to and transformed in contemporary society.”
The artists’ research highlights the history of the Goddess’s sanctuary in Palaepafos (modern-day Kouklia) and the surrounding settlements, which served as key hubs for copper trade routes originating from the southern slopes of the Troodos Mountains. The sanctuary not only functioned as a place of worship but also symbolised wealth and power due to its strategic location. Over the centuries, the site experienced various phases of colonization and ideological transformations, adopting new political identities under foreign regimes.
The Great Goddess has manifested her divinity through countless names and forms, continuing to inspire to this day. The participating artists are Katerina Neofytidou, Grace Schwindt, and Stella Voskaridou.
The exhibition “How She Moved” is funded by the Deputy Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Cyprus, Department of Contemporary Culture, and is supported by the Department of Antiquities, Cyprus. The opening event is scheduled for Saturday, March 29, 2025, at 3:00 PM at the Pafos District Archaeological Museum. The exhibition will be accessible from March 29 to May 29, 2025, with visiting hours from Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
The press release also extends gratitude to Eftychia Zachariou, Efstathios Raptou, and Margarita Kouali from the Department of Antiquities, Cyprus, for their support, as well as Victoria Leonidou for her contributions to the graphics.
Source : CNA
