During my 37 years at the Museum of Mediterranean and Near Eastern Antiquities, I experienced an indescribable ignorance and a non-existent interest in the world-famous Cyprus collections. However, they are now called the collections of the World Culture Museums.

The university in particular showed such reluctance that it should almost be considered misconduct. I had 6 students who wanted to be supervised but they were not allowed to continue because the university professors wanted them to write about Greece and Rome; Cyprus was too marginal.

My years at the museum could have been many more but the new director who took office in 2000 chose to spend millions of taxpayers' money on dismissing a curator who became inconvenient. Or too old. The staff had to be younger because the museum's target group was supposed to be 18-44 years old.

The Cypriots themselves have always used archaeology and the Cyprus collections for political purposes, but they were at least interested in the collections. Not mocking and ignorant like many of those in power. It was always heartbreaking to come home from my trips to Cyprus where I lectured and presented my books. I was met with incredible warmth and interest, unlike the reception from Swedish colleagues.