Digital platform launched to preserve Cyprus cultural heritage

A new digital initiative named KITTIM.org was officially launched on November 10, 2026, aimed at documenting and preserving the history, traditions, and cultural heritage of all 615 villages and municipalities across Cyprus. Developed by the Philotimo organization in collaboration with AIA Labs, the project seeks to prevent the loss of historical knowledge by creating a comprehensive, centralized database that covers all six districts of the island, including 204 villages that have remained inaccessible due to the ongoing occupation since 1974.

At the time of its launch, the platform features detailed pages for each community, compiling data from nine research sources. The database currently includes approximately 3,000 named sights, such as 1,376 religious monuments, 1,090 festivals and feast days, 165 local producers, 43 traditional crafts, and 21 local legends. Furthermore, the site lists 70 books about these villages, 32 of which are accessible online for free.

Designed as an interactive tool for the public, KITTIM.org encourages citizens to contribute personal memories, photographs, and historical information to help enrich the platform. The project, named after the ancient biblical city of Kition, aims to serve as a living archive that protects the island's memory from the passage of time through ongoing user engagement and digital preservation.