KORMAKITIS CENTRE FOR COOPERATION – From Vision to Reality

Three years ago, we began with a vision: education, hospitality, and culture — for Kormakitis, the Maronite Community, Cyprus, and Europe.Today, the KCC is:

✅ A magnet for thousands of visitors

✅ A place of historic meetings and dialogue

✅ A bridge of intercommunal cooperation

✅ A supporter of the reopening of the Kormakitis Primary and pre-Primary School

✅ A host of emblematic programs such as Sanna Kamp and Walking Our History

✅ A hub of knowledge, cultural heritage, and hope for revival.

With the support of the European Union, the Republic of Cyprus, the Maronite Church, and dozens of organizations and friends, we continue.Faced with challenges and unfounded doubts, we remain committed to our mission:

To build bridges of reconciliation and coexistence in a united Cyprus.

🙏 We invite you to stand by us — friends, partners, volunteers, even those who hesitate.📍 The future is built together. Come and help us create it!

— Three Years of Work and Mission —

From its very first day, the Kormakitis Centre for Cooperation has remained faithful to its mission: to serve education, hospitality, and culture, for Kormakitis, the Maronite Community, Cyprus, the wider region, and Europe.Now in its third summer of operation, the Centre consistently implements the plan submitted and approved by the European Union, with its highest goal being reconciliation and coexistence in service of the aspirations of a united Cyprus.

The foresight and determination of the Representative of the Maronites, Mr. Yiannakis Mousas, and his close associates, as well as the support of our spiritual leader, Archbishop Selim Sfeir, proved to be decisive factors in the Centre’s success.

The work of the KCC has been warmly embraced by dozens of bicommunal organizations, distinguished personalities, diplomatic missions, church leaders, community groups, professionals, companies, cultural associations, and international organizations. Among them: the President of the Republic of Cyprus, the President of the House of Representatives, Members of Parliament, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, current and former Archbishops of the Maronites of Cyprus, the Negotiator of the Republic, former ministers, and ambassadors of countries including the USA, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, the Vatican, Ireland, Germany, Malta, Slovakia, the Netherlands, Finland, and many others.

The Centre and our villages have welcomed visits from universities, chambers of commerce, cultural institutions, bicommunal committees, international NGOs, and educational establishments, which have supported our work in many ways: providing equipment, organizing events, and funding educational programs that cultivate mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence. These include the University of Cyprus, UClan University, the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Home for Cooperation, the Association for Historical Dialogue, the Bicommunal Technical Committee for Monuments, the Cyprus Friendship Program (CFP), Caritas, UNDP, the EU Infopoint, the United World College, as well as bicommunal NGOs such as Avli, Akti, MASDER, FNM, AHDR, and others.

Historic Meetings at the KCC

The KCC has hosted historic meetings and gatherings organized by the Representative of the Maronites, Mr. Yiannakis Mousas, with the participation of the Maronite villages leaders. Among the participants: Ms. Patti Londoño, representative of the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Cyprus, Ms. Maria Ángela Holguín, the Greek Cypriot Negotiator Mr. Menelaos Menelaou, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, as well as the wife of the President of the Republic of Cyprus and the President of the House of Representatives.

At every opportunity, the Representative consistently and clearly raised the just demands for the return of our villages, often complementing the meetings with on-site inspections of the vilages areas. Asomatos, Ayia Marina and Karpassia.

In close cooperation with the Representative’s Office, the KCC has also hosted consultations and joint actions with leading bicommunal organizations such as Creating Friendship for Peace and the Bicommunal Technical Committee for Monuments, with whom we share the vision of reunification and peaceful coexistence in Cyprus.

A particularly important meeting took place with senior representatives of our Church leadership, with a Vatican delegation and the Apostolic Nuncio, under the guidance of His Beatitude Archbishop Selim Sfeir. The discussion emphasized the significance of the KCC and its integration into the broader strategic plan of the Church for developing an advanced educational and research centre.

The Highlight – Reopening of the School

The pinnacle of the KCC’s work was the reopening of the historic Kormakitis Primary & pri-Primary School — a goal we had set from the outset and declared with full transparency to the European Union.

The decision of the State was based on two decisive factors:

1. The provision of the KCC’s building facilities.

2. The consent and support of our Church authority.

With these advantages, the Representative, Mr. Yiannakis Mousas, secured the smooth operation of the School and continues with equal zeal for the Kindergarten. The EU, recognizing this success, continued to support us by installing modern photovoltaic systems and providing up-to-date kitchen equipment, covering essential infrastructure for serving the community.

Language and Culture – Sanna Kamp

From its very first summer, the KCC has hosted Sanna Kamp, organized by the Office of the Maronite Representative in cooperation with the University of Cyprus and the Ministry of Education and Culture. Each year, around one hundred children, with the help of trained teachers and native speakers of Sanna, live for a week in the language of their ancestors, in the very place where this ancient language was born.

“Walking Our History”

The KCC campgrounds also host the community camp Walking in My Roots, where children from all the villages of the community experience for a week the history of their ancestors. Through themed excursions and explorations of their parents’ sacred lands, they connect with their roots and strengthen their identity.

A Living Resource for the Village and the Community

Beyond its individual programs, the KCC has become a magnet for visitors from all over Cyprus and abroad. By now, several thousand visitors have come to the Centre, many of whom also tour the village, discovering and learning about its centuries-old culture and history — a heritage that adorns our common homeland, Cyprus.

By consistently showcasing our history and cultural heritage, the Centre actively participates in bicommunal dialogues and initiatives, fostering mutual understanding and trust. Friends and partners of the KCC, at every opportunity, guide visitors and deliver high-level lectures, presenting this historical jewel of Cyprus — the Maronite Community: its existence on this island, its growth, and the drama it has endured and continues to endure.

Thus, the KCC creates an ecosystem of cooperation and creativity in the village, offering “breath” to the resettlement effort and giving hope of revival to future generations.

Ongoing Challenges

Malicious comments, incomprehensible opposition, and unfounded claims of mismanagement are left without response. We remain focused on our mission and our work, knowing that we still have much to accomplish and create.

In Closing…

Three years after its launch, the KCC has proven to be a living institution of education, culture, and cooperation. It is not only a heritage; it is an investment in the future.

Against every doubt, the answer lies in the work itself: in the meetings, in the educational activities, in the infrastructure, and in the smiles of children.

We call on all who believe in this mission — friends, partners, volunteers, even the hesitant — to stand with us. We need you. We still have much to accomplish and even more to create together.

Antonis P. Skoullos

Executive Chairman of the Board Kormakitis Centre for Cooperation