The challenges faced by women on the path to academic success were discussed at the headquarters of the Research Centre in Cyprus of the Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology, University of Warsaw, in Paphos. The event, organised in cooperation with the Polish Archaeological Institute at Athens (PAIA), featured Beata Kukiel-Vraila, author of the book Archaeology Without Makeup, and Prof. Ewdoksia Papuci-Władyka, Head of the Research Centre and of the Joint Expedition of the University of Warsaw and Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Deputy Director of PAIA, and one of the protagonists of the publication.
The event attracted many representatives of the archaeological community, including friends and supporters of Polish archaeological research in Cyprus. The municipal authorities of Paphos — a city connected with sixty years of Polish archaeological presence — were represented by Acting Mayor Aggelos Onisiphorou, while the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Cyprus was represented by Agata Szczepanowska. Among the guests were also Dr Eustathis Raptou, Dr Anthi Chrysanthou, and Nikolas Koulountis and Giannis Koulountis from the architectural office supporting the activities of the Research Centre.
The meeting had a special character. It was devoted not only to the publication itself, but also to a figure well known in Cyprus: Prof. Ewdoksia Papuci-Władyka. During the discussion following the book presentation, the author emphasised the scholar’s exceptional personal qualities. “Prof. Papuci-Władyka is not only an outstanding scholar, but also a wonderful person. When you are in her company, you feel as if you are with your best friend,” said Beata Kukiel-Vraila. The author also referred to an earlier visit to the Archaeological Park in Kato Paphos. “I had the opportunity to see the archaeological site through the Professor’s eyes. It was both a fascinating and a moving experience. Not only could I learn about the history of this place, but I could also feel the Professor’s deep passion, her love and attachment to this land, its people and its memories. Looking at the magnificent mosaics uncovered here, I thought that the Professor is an integral part of them.”
The bilingual book Archaeology Without Makeup is the first publication in the PAIA Culture series. It contains interviews with distinguished women scholars who have broken stereotypes concerning the place and role of women in the world of academia. The protagonists of the book are: Prof. Ewdoksia Papuci-Władyka, Prof. Marzena Szmyt, Dr Zofia Stos-Gale, Dr Stephanie Aulsebrook, Prof. Agata Ulanowska, Prof. Inga Głuszek, Prof. Bogumiła Kaniewska, and Prof. Véronique Chankowski.
