ΑρχαιοΛογικά was an archaeology and wellbeing programme that took place between 27 October and 9 December 2023 in the Xeros Valley in Larnaca (communities of Kofinou, Alaminou and Agios Theodoros).
By looking at the heritage sites of the valley and exploring them through creative activities, including writing and photography, the project encouraged discussions on the broader themes relating to the recent history of the region, memory, and abandonment. These topics are particularly relevant to our target audiences: the local communities, individuals from other areas of Cyprus and the Huntington’s disease (HD) community (users, families and carers).
The project included collaborative activities, such as discussion sessions on the concept of abandonment through photos with archaeological content and an outdoor session focusing on cleaning the ruins of the church of Agia Marina.
Participants worked together towards the final event of the programme, which took place on 9 December 2023: an exhibition of photographs they had taken in the valley, depicting their perceptions of abandonment and memory, using the heritage sites as the subject of their images.
The programme has been organised in the framework of the LOGGIA project, in collaboration with the Unlocking the Sacred Landscapes of Cyprus research project, the Archaeological Research Unit of the University of Cyprus, the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics and the Cyprus Alliance for Rare Diseases.
Flyer of the programme 
Talking about abandonment through photos 
Using photos with archaeological content to talk about abandonment and memories 
Familiarising with archaeology, memories and abandonment at the Church of Panagia Kofinou 
Participants taking pictures for the photo exhibition at the tower of Alaminos 
Participants joining the cleaning activity at Agia Marina 
Participants removing grass from the remains of the church of Agia Marina 
Blessing (agiasmos) performed by the priest of Kofinou 
Inauguration of the photo exhibition organised by the participants in the programme 
The participants portray abandonment by taking photos of the heritage sites of the Xeros valley 
One of the photos taken by participants at the exhibition 
Activity for children during the final event 
Attendees talking about abandonment through photos with archaeological contents
