Deep Dive: Archaeological exhibition 'Cyprus and Italy: Shared Cultural Identities at the Dawn of History' inaugurated in Rome

From the geopolitical lens, this exhibition underscores soft power diplomacy between Cyprus and Italy, two Mediterranean nations with longstanding ties to ancient trade routes and civilizations. Cyprus, strategically located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, has historically served as a cultural bridge, while Italy's central role in the Roman Empire extended its influence across the Mediterranean, including to Cyprus. Key actors include the governments of Cyprus and Italy, leveraging cultural heritage to strengthen bilateral relations amid broader EU dynamics where Cyprus navigates its division and Italy balances Mediterranean migration and energy interests. As international affairs correspondents, we note the cross-border implications of such cultural initiatives, which foster people-to-people connections and tourism flows between EU members. This event in Rome could enhance Cyprus's visibility in Italy, a major EU economy, potentially boosting archaeological tourism and academic exchanges. Beyond Europe, it subtly reinforces Cyprus's outreach to counterbalance influences from Turkey, given the island's unresolved division since 1974, while Italy pursues strategic partnerships in the Eastern Mediterranean for energy security. Regionally, the exhibition taps into deep historical contexts: Cyprus's prehistoric sites like Khirokitia share material culture with Italy's early Italic and Etruscan artifacts, evidencing Bronze Age exchanges via Phoenician and Mycenaean networks. Local Cypriot identity, shaped by Greek, Roman, and Ottoman layers, finds resonance in Italy's diverse regional heritages. Stakeholders include archaeologists, museums, and cultural ministries from both sides, with implications for joint research funding and repatriation dialogues on antiquities. Looking ahead, this inauguration signals a positive outlook for sustained cultural diplomacy, potentially expanding to joint excavations or traveling exhibits, benefiting scholars and the public by illuminating shared human histories amid contemporary geopolitical tensions in the region.