Aisthiseis: α Multi-Sensory Experience from the Bank of Cyprus Culture Foundation
With the aim of making culture accessible to all, the Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation launches the new multi-sensory project ‘Aisthiseis’.
The Cultural Foundation, in full alignment with the Bank of Cyprus ESG principles and in coordination with the principles for the social development of museums espoused by the H2020 ReInherit programme, of which it is a coordinator, is making permanent changes to its museums and actions that promote and facilitate the participation of all handicapped/vulnerable people in culture.
This effort reflects the belief espoused by both the Cultural Foundation and Bank of Cyprus that every society is defined primarily by its culture —and in culture no one is redundant, and no one should be prevented from offering their light for the benefit of society.
In this direction, ‘Aisthiseis’ hopes to remove some of the barriers faced by handicapped/vulnerable people for the benefit of us all and with a view to designing a better and fairer society.
The ‘Aisthiseis’ project consists of:
- A series of activities and adaptations within the museums and the exhibitions of the Cultural Foundation such as permanent video-taped guided tours in Cypriot sign language, tactile stations, statue replicas, vases and coins from the collections of the Cultural Foundations’ museums, audio tours as well as a Museum Guide.
- A series of activities and adaptations to the entire annual programme of events such as guided tours in sign language, multi-sensory tours for various handicapped groups as well as adaptation of the multisensory experience across all events of the Cultural Foundation.
- Specially designed workshops by experts that aim to promote inclusion of all handicapped groups in the museum activities. The workshops will revolve around the subjects of art therapy, museum education, therapeutic ceramics, therapeutic experiential storytelling and creative writing.
- Multi-sensory museum suitcase, which will travel to sites and organizations outside of the Cultural Foundation.
- Training for staff and those in the public interested in better reaching and serving the various handicapped groups.
At the same time, the Cultural Foundation will emphasise public awareness of handicapped groups and the inclusive society under the tripartite motto the triptych More senses - Fewer Barriers - Better society.
Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation
86-90 Phaneromenis Str., 1011 Nicosia
Info: 22 128157
@boccf
