AUC Represented at the Cultural Heritage Conservation and Research Symposium

The 3rd International Symposium on Cultural Heritage Protection and Research, held under the theme “The Future of Cultural Heritage, Identity, Memory, and Protection,” brought together academics from different countries on February 26–27, 2026.

The symposium was attended by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Buğu Şah, Head of the Department of Interior Architecture and Environmental Design at the Faculty of Fine Arts at Cyprus American University (KAÜ), and Research Assistant Cemre Çolağ as speakers, representing the university on an international academic platform.

During the event, current research on architectural heritage, archaeological studies, and conservation processes was shared. The necessity of an interdisciplinary approach to preserving cultural heritage was emphasized, particularly through important examples such as the restoration processes of the Selimiye Mosque in Nicosia and the ancient city of Salamis.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Buğu Şah and Research Assistant Cemre Çolağ discussed Lefkara embroidery motifs, the production process, and areas of use in their presentation titled “Women’s Labor in Turkish Cypriot Handicrafts in the Context of Cultural Heritage.” The study evaluated handicrafts, which reveal the daily lives, social roles, and economic existence of Cypriot women, as an area of cultural expression and identity. The research findings were interpreted using a holistic approach based on data obtained from document review and analysis of audiovisual materials.

The symposium, held with international participation, served as an important scientific platform for strengthening interdisciplinary knowledge and experience sharing in the field of cultural heritage, while the presentations by university representatives were met with interest and appreciation by the participants.