Museum Broadcasting RIK

The RIK Radio Museum, housed in the new building RIK File. The museum exhibition, complete documentation of the most important material, which was used by the Public Broadcasting over the years. Apart from the technical equipment which was necessary for the production and transmission of the broadcast program from the first years of the creation of the RIK, the Museum houses and dozens of other museum objects, inside of which is recorded in a unique way, the history of the Foundation and its producers.

As such it is the first camera that was used to RIK tilethalamous, the first musical instruments that accompanied and highlighted great Cypriot artists, the first dolls were the first production puppetry in Cypriot television, authentic costumes which were used in series that made history , microphones with which broadcast historic events and more.

Important place in the exhibition material of the museum holding and utilitarian objects that are associated with the tragic events of 1974: the original texts of news with which recited the refugee problem are the days of the Turkish invasion, the historic proclamation of Archbishop Makarios from Paphos ( in sound and in printed form) the evening of July 15, 1974, and the speech on his return to Cyprus in December of the same year. also exposed the famous message recording machine to the enclaved, since for many years after the tragic events, RIK was the only channel of communication for free to the occupied areas.

The Museum RIK Broadcasting aspires to soon become interactive visits space for pupils, students, individuals and organized groups, which are going through the exhibits to learn about not only the history of the Public Broadcasting of the place, but of history itself and Culture of Cyprus as a whole.

Source: Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation

District: Nicosia

Address: Avenue RIK

Accreditation: Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation

Season: All year

Opening hours:

Facilities:

Website / Email: www.riknews.com.cy / rik@cybc.com.cy

Contact Telephone / Fax: 00357-22862000 /

Ticket Price:

Supply Fee:

Google Map Navigation Map:

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Friends of the Russian House in Cyprus Video

This page was set up to share common news, to make more beautiful and creative our experiences so that we fully enjoy our life in Cyprus.

This page also represents the friendship between Russians, Russian speakers, Greek Cypriots that do not speak the Russian language and everybody who enjoy the Russian culture under the warm Cyprus sky.

Dialogue is welcome in any language – Russian, Greek or English. Happy sailings then to all the Friends of the Russian House in Cyprus with the start of this new Cultural season …

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11 days left to Apply for EU Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Awards Video

The European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Awards is Europe’s highest honour in the heritage field. It recognises the best restoration projects; the most impressive research; the most dedicated heritage professionals and volunteers; and the finest awareness raising, training and educational programmes.

Architects, craftsmen, cultural heritage experts, professionals and volunteers, public and private institutions, and local communities: this is your chance to win the top heritage award in Europe!

In 2017, up to 30 heritage achievements from all over Europe will be awarded. Of those, 7 projects will receive a Grand Prix and €10,000 each; one will be granted the Public Choice Award, chosen through an online poll conducted by Europa Nostra.

All the winners will be celebrated at the European Heritage Awards Ceremony which will take place in June 2017 in Turku, Finland.

Submit your project and share your success across Europe and beyond!

Apply Now

(http://www.europanostra.org/apply-for-an-award-2017/)

Deadline: 1 October 2016

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Me64yheJVBY

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Final Stage of Preparation for the opening ceremony of the European Capital of Culture

With the auditions for dancers for the Opening Ceremony of the European Capital of Culture – Pafos2017, the Organisation is reaching the final preparation stage for the opening event of the institution.

On Monday 12^th and Tuesday 13^th of September 2016, the auditions for professional dancers as well as dance students took place at the Klea Pitsillidou Dance School, by the well known professional choreographer and dancer Ido Tadmor, the Cypriot director and actor Neoklis Neokleous and Jhonathan Soutchy, assistant choreographer.

Applications from professionals, dance schools and students came in tens and the first selection of people that will perform the choreographic part of the event on the 28^th of January 2017 has been completed.

A big team of young dance students – over 40 people – as well as a number of professional dancers were chosen for the choreography of the Opening Ceremony, which has been inspired by the thematic section of the artistic programme “Myth and Religion”. October will mark the beginning of a collaboration between Ido Tadmor, his assistant Jhonathan Soutchy and dance teachers, for the Opening Ceremony choreography. The dance teachers, in their turn, will teach the required techniques and dance compositions to the students. Intensive rehearsals for the Opening Ceremony will follow in December 2016, prior to the beginning of the cultural year.

During the time of the auditions, the choreographer and director of the Opening Ceremony had a meeting with the Chairman and the Members of the Dance Culture Association, which will also play an important role in the realisation of an impressive spectacle.

Thanks go to Klea Pitsillidou Dance School and the Ambassador of Israel for their support.

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The Pafos school of spectacle

Following the open call  “Pafos School of Spectacle” in September 2016, the Pafos2017 Organisation and its partner Walk the Plank have successfully completed the first EU School of Spectacle.

From Thursday 6^th until Sunday 9^th October the training for artists and creative practitioners from five European countries, including Bulgaria, Lithuania, Ireland, UK and Cyprus took place in Pafos.

Sixteen people – including designers, arts managers, visual artists and theatre makers – worked with 5 trainers from outdoor arts specialists Walk the Plank (UK) to explore techniques including the use of light, fire and choreography in outdoor theatre, and aspects of event management.  In addition, teachers from 28 schools around Pafos took part in training to learn how to make lanterns from willow and tissue paper. They will take this technique back into their schools, and work with children who will then carry the lanterns they make as part of the Opening ceremony for Pafos2017 in January.

As the final element of the training school, everyone came together to make a small procession and a celebration in Geroskipou Square on Sunday evening.  This was a chance for the team to try out their ideas about animating the public realm:  the Square ended up illuminated by lanterns and fire sculpture created by the participants.

The event attracted attention from local families and young people; and was supported by the Mayor of Geroskipou, and the many teachers who came to carry lanterns with their own families.  Drummers from the Pafos Municipality Band provided a rhythmic accompaniment to the procession into the Square, to the delight of those gathered in the coffee shops and restaurants nearby.

“Events like this can bring communities together in shared celebrations of place and local identity” said Liz Pugh, Walk the Plank’s director. “We are working towards the Opening ceremony, and the teachers of Pafos are a vital piece of the jigsaw, which will see a team of Cypriot artists collaborating with international artists”.

Working together, we will make a spectacular free outdoor event that will provide a fitting opening to our city’s year of culture” added Georgia Doetzer, Pafos2017 Artistic Programme Director. “This training has given me new skills and confidence, as well as starting a new network of cities linked to the European Capitals of Culture, like Plovdiv (Bulgaria) and Kaunas (Lithuania).”

The next School of Spectacle, in Ireland, will take place in 2017, when several artists from Pafos will travel to Limerick to be part of the next international training programme, designed to develop new audiences for cultural activity as well as transEuropean employment opportunities. The two year investment from Europe was secured through the Creative Europe fund, and is supported by Pafos2017.

Photo by foto LARKO, Pafos

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Annual European Conference of The International LGBTI Organisation, ILGA-Europe

Accept – LGBT Cyprus announces the arrival of the International LGBTI Organisation ILGA-Europe from Brussels, to hold its Annual Pan-European Conference between 19-22 October 2016 in Nicosia under the title “Power To The People”.

Almost 500 delegates from over 50 countries have so far registered to attend the conference, in what is the largest LGBTI Conference of its kind outside North America.  The hosting of the event was awarded to Accept – LGBT Cyprus in Riga, Latvia in October 2014 following a successful bidding.

With the consent of the President of the Republic, Mr. Nicos Amastasiades, the opening ceremony of the Conference will be held at the Presidential Palace on Wednesday 19 October 2016, at 20:30. The Minister of Interior Mr. Socrates Hasicos will represent the President, while the Mayor of Nicosia Mr. Constantinos Yiorkadjis will also address the delegates.  It is expected that the President of the Republic will visit the Conference on Saturday October 22^nd, following his return back to Cyprus.

The main speakers this year are Stella Kyriakides, MP, President of the Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights, Matthew Beard, Executive Director at All Out movement, Broden Giambrone, Chief Executive of Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI), Elena Blackmore, Partner at Public Interest Research Centre, Dounia Jari, Co-founder and chairperson of Maruf, Mamikon Hovsepyan, Executive Director of PINK Armenia and the British writer, director, composer, choreographer, designer, producer and performer Rikki Beadle-Blair.

Representatives of the Media can enter the conference by registering on page https://goo.gl/C6FMfg for the issuance of their media pass which allows them to enter in the discussions, plenaries and workshops of the conference.

Conference Programme:

You can download the conference programme here: https://goo.gl/QyPWUU

Registrations for Cyprus residents:

Registrations for the conference can still be made for local residents on Wednesday 19 October at 16.00 and on Thursday 20 October at 08.00 at the Hilton Cyprus Hotel. Local residents can register for a reduced rate of €120 (instead of €325 which is the cost for international delegates). The price includes all lunches and dinners from Wednesday evening to Saturday evening.

Press Conference (20 October, 14.00)

There will be a Press Conference for the presentation of the event to the media on Thursday, 20 October 2016, on 14.00 at the Hilton Cyprus Hotel. Prior registration from the link shown above, necessary.

Head of Parties Debate (20 October, 14.30):  

Debate on the political priorities and commitments for LGBTI equality in Cyprus

On Thursday, 20 October 2016 at 14.30 there will be a discussion between:

1. Averof Neofytou, President of the governing Democratic Rally (DISI – EPP Affiliated)
2. Andros Kyprianou, General Secretary of the Progressive Party of Working People (AKEL – GUE/NGL Affiliated)
3. Nicholas Papadopoulos, President of Democratic Party (DIKO – S&D Affiliated)
4. Costa Gavrielides, Accept – LGBT Cyprus

On behalf of the ILGA-Europe Organisation the discussion will be co-ordinated by Gabi Calleja (Malta).

At the end of the debate there will be time for questions from the floor after which media representatives will be able to take statements in a specially arranged area.  Prior registration from the link shown above, necessary. There will be simultaneous translation into English.

Closing Ceremony

The Closing Ceremony will take place at the Famagusta Gate on Saturday 22 October and will be open to the public as of the 22.30 with the title “Power To The People: The Party”. Joining the 500 delegates in the event will be the most spectacular hot mess of a diva to hit the east London scene in years: A Man to Pet, who is flying in specifically all the way from the UK. Cyprus Pride’s own Cotsios o Piccatillis will be closing the night in a wild mood!

ILGA World was founded in 1978, ILGA and has over 1200 organization members from 125 different countries. It’s European leg, ILGA-Europe, has 490 organization members in 45 of the 49 countries in Europe.  The fact that this year the Annual Conference of ILGA-Europe is taking place in Nicosia is a very important step for our country as it will consolidate Cyprus on the world map of countries that are openly fighting for the rights of LGBTI people and Human Rights in general.

Accept – LGBTI Cyprus was officially registered in September 2011 to protect and promote the Human Rights of all people, groups and minorities subjected to discrimination or mistreatment and especially those who suffer due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. As the national LGBTI organisation it is the first, and still the only, registered LGBTI organisation in the Republic of Cyprus and comprises only by volunteers and not housed in any specific location owing to limited funds.

Accept – LGBT Cyprus

For more information, contact:

ILGA-Europe: Emma Cassidy 0032 2 609 56 50

Accept – LGBT Cyprus: 99812343

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Logicom Cyprus Marathon

We feel very proud that we are the organisers of the most historic, famous and successful Marathon event in Cyprus. Below you can read the experiences and evaluation of Ms. Khovansky Julia who took part in this year Logicom Cyprus Marathon which was held on Sunday 6th March in Pafos.

‘What I loved first of all it is Cyprus! The best place in the world, the most peaceful, the friendliest and the sunniest spot of Mediterranean! The most beautiful landmark of this beautiful Island is with no doubts Aphrodite’s Birthplace ‘Petra tou Romiou’ starting point of the Marathon race. That is why when I first saw on the Facebook the add about Logicom Cyprus Marathon starting at Petra tou Romiou I knew that I wanted to do it though it was going to be the 1st marathon in my life. The route was amazing with fantastic views, I enjoyed every moment of running it.

The weather was perfect sunny but not very hot, the organization was beyond expectations – kilometres were clearly marked, water stations were every 3 km, plenty of beer and fruit at the finish line. The volunteers did a great job, they were very friendly and extremely helpful. The opening ceremony of the event on the day before was very, very impressive running athletes, carrying the Marathon flame and the beautiful girls wearing ancient white clothes dancing in silence, the rhythm of the drum and the Greek words of an ancient poem … The whole ritual was very powerful and bright and had a very strong impact on the participants… Watching it made us understand the importance of the world Marathon movement, helped to face and fight our fears, filled our hearts with joy and glory, caused tears of happiness and appreciation… I can’t wait for a next Logicom Cyprus Marathon which we are going to run together with my husband’.

See you all on Sunday 5th March in Pafos for the next organisation of the 19th Logicom Cyprus Marathon. Registration is open at www.logicomcyprusmarathon.com

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Subject: E-book “Designing a Difference -Social Sustainability in Cyprus”

An academic e-book compiled of student projects from the Architecture Department of University of Nicosia on social sustainability in Cyprus is now available on-line.

Edited by academics Petros Lapithis and Anna Papadopoulou and journalist Melissa Hekkers, the book brings to the local case studies to the forefront in an attempt to give a concrete understanding on social sustainability and architectural practices.

Cultural heritage is civilizations’ most valued asset. Culture and civilization are concepts that are in essence intertwined that are expressed spatially as well as socially.

In architecture and design, all too often, focus is set on spatiality, with sustainability located within the tangible and intangible norms of the natural and the built environment. The notion of social sustainability enters architectural discourse to provide a component of sustainability that speaks directly to the contribution of community and society to civilization and to cultural heritage.

Sustainability is about survival. But if to sustain is to survive, then survival requires that class, racial and gender differences, as well as spatial and perceptual distances, are overcome by good will and good design.

Social sustainability extends the essence of sustainable design and combines design of the physical realm with the design of the social world in order to create successful places that promote well-being by understanding what people need from the places where they live and work. This book is a compilation of student design projects that aim to address sustainability beyond its conventional environmental component and push the boundaries of what it means for communities to thrive as part of the great infinity of civilization.

The editors of this book would like to extend their appreciation by acknowledging the contribution of all students of the Architecture and Interior Design programmes of the Department of Architecture, University of Nicosia who have participated in the Sustainable Design Unit, the Design for Diversity Unit and the Building Blocks for Social Sustainability workshops from the first years of its inception.

The goal of this book is to transfer knowledge without any monetary benefit. The book is available for free.

View low resolution book:

https://issuu.com/petroslapithis/docs/designing_a_difference_-social_sust/1

Download high Resolution print:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B9m9oHBfzmmlQ1FnRDZFa2NBNVE

Order the high resolution printed book here:

https://www.peecho.com/print/en/241550

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Agia Napa Guardian Angel

The Mayor of Agia Napa, Mr. Yiannos Karoussos and members of the City Council hosted on Friday, 11 November 2016, at the Town Hall, the renowned Russian sculptor, Petr Stronski.

Stronski, who is also the President of the International Academy of Culture and Art of Russia, will donate to the Municipality of Ayia Napa a sculpture entitled “Guardian Angel of Compassion and Peace”. The purpose of the Russian artist’s visit was to discuss the details pertaining to the statue, as well as the location of its installation. The artist will recommend the site, which he considers as the most appropriate, and his choice will be ratified at a forthcoming meeting of the City Council of Ayia Napa.

The statue of the angel will be made of metal and fiberglass and it will be gilded. It will rise to three meters height and will weight 600 kilos. The cost of construction will be entirely sponsored by Russian donors. The Municipality of Ayia Napa will only bear the cost of freight from Moscow to Cyprus and the installation of the sculpture.

Petr Stronski has already donated similar sculptures in cities that maintain close relations with Russia and especially with the International Academy of Culture and Art. Recently he presented an Angel holding an icon to the city Niagan in Russia, while since 2014 such a sculpture graces La Croisette of Cannes in southern France. The Cannes Angel raises the Palme d’Or, thus creating a special connection to the local Cannes Film Festival. In 2012 another angel, holding a dove, was placed on a tall column in Lake Balaton, Hungary. Similar statues were installed in Slovakia and also in Ierissos Greece.

Stronski chose to donate the sculpture of the “Guardian Angel” to Cyprus, in honor of the long and deep relations between Russia with our country and also, because the International Academy of Culture and Art maintains a branch in Cyprus. The Cypriot branch is headed by its director, art historian Maria Paphiti, who was granted the title of the Academy’s honorary academician in a ceremony that took place in Moscow in 2011.

When Stronski proposed the donation of the sculpture in Cyprus, Paphiti suggested for it to be given to the Municipality of Ayia Napa, which is probably the most visited location of the island and thus serves the rationale of the sculpture’s creation, which is to disseminate in public awareness the universal values of friendship and brotherhood between people.

The Angel is planned to be installed in Ayia Napa in 2017 and is expected to be a milestone, which according to the artist will promote the multicultural understanding and cooperation throughout the world, and especially with the cities that already host the “Guardian Angel”.

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An art exhibition of Cypriot students marks the Cyprus Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe

The cultural program of the Cyprus Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe was launched today, Tuesday, 22 November 2016 in Strasbourg with the inauguration of the art exhibition entitled: «Crisis – Challenge: From Cyprus to Strasbourg», organized by the Ministry of Education and Culture in the presence of the Chairperson of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Ioannis Kasoulides and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Mr Thorbjørn Jagland, Cypriot MEP’s and Ambassadors of other countries.

At the inauguration ceremony, the Minister of Education and Culture, Mr Costas Kadis, stressed that Cypriot youth have demonstrated that they are not simply spectators of events around them. To the contrary, he said, they have opinions, sensitivities and a say, uniquely expressed through this exhibition that takes place during the Cyprus Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.

The exhibition marks the launching of the Cyprus Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, for the fifth time, starting on November 22, 2016 lasting until May 17, 2017. The students’ works of art will be exhibited at the Council of Europe (Palais de l’ Europe) in Strasbourg from November 22-30, 2016 and at the European Court of Human Rights, from December 1-23, 2016.

In his speech, the Minister of Education and Culture said that the students involved in this creative activity had the opportunity to share and discuss their concerns, develop attitudes and behaviours, acquire knowledge and skills and experience the joy of achieving a great outcome. “They succeeded, in a way, to transform Crisis into Art. They also analysed and interpreted the meaning of «Crisis» as a situation that affects them more as a challenge than as a problematic situation without solution. Events like this one emphasise the role and importance of art in developing young people’s critical thinking”, emphasised Mr Kadis.

The exhibition includes selected works of art that received awards in the framework of this year’s 5th Pancyprian Secondary Education Visual & Plastic Arts Competition, which is the biggest art initiative in Cypriot schools. This exhibition includes also works of art created by primary education pupils who were actively involved in art activities in the framework of our objective for the 2015-2016 school year, which aims to enhance awareness among students against racism and intolerance and to promote equality and respect in the context of the Council of Europe campaign against hate speech.

It is worth mentioning that the art exhibition is the first among the fourteen cultural events in total organized in the framework of the Cyprus Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers in Strasbourg. The cultural events aim to familiarize both the members of the Council of Europe and the public of Strasbourg with the different aspects of the cultural identity of Cyprus. The program of the cultural events and the art exhibition catalogue are available at the following link: http://www.moec.gov.cy/eiao/el/proedria_symvouliou_evropis.html.

Note: The Council of Europe has the copyright of the photo.

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Active citizens on the side of the Pafos2017

As the events and activities programme of the European Capital of Culture – Pafos2017 has been completed, the Pafos2017 Organisation succeeded in involving the society of Pafos in the Volunteers Programme with thousands of volunteers.

On Saturday 19th of November 2016, the first mass meeting of all volunteers who have already registered in the Volunteers Programme was held – it exceeded all expectations with people of all ages – with the objective of coordinating and enrolling them in the Production, Communication, Cultural Barometer Management, Hospitality, Immediate Response and Social Participation teams. 

With faith in volunteerism and community involvement in this grand project of the town, the Pafos2017 Organisation has on its side the Lanitis Bros company, which puts its social orientation in practice by supporting the Volunteer Programme and the needs of the volunteers, as its exclusive sponsor.

The year 2016, the year before the official taking of the European Capital of Culture title, constitutes the period of processing and preparation on all levels in order to ensure the success of the project. In recent months and through open calls, targeted actions and invitations to social groups and institutions this large group of volunteers was established, based on the needs that arise from the Organisation in order to strengthen it.

The Chairman of the Organisation, Dr Christos Patsalides, opened the event and welcomed the volunteers in the European Capital of Culture – Pafos2017 family and thanked them for their participation. He stressed the fact that their involvement and their altruistic contribution in the largest cultural institution of our country represents the liveliest part and the heart of the Organisation.

Moreover, the Artistic Programme Director, Ms Georgia Doetzer, thanked the volunteers who are already active in the Pafos2017 Organisation since 2014 and welcomed the new volunteers. She stressed that the great participation of volunteers confirms the element of openness of the Open Air Factory and that the volunteers are one of its motivating powers.

A representative of Lanitis Bros, Ms Kyriaki Savva (Brand Manager of the company and Coordinator of the Volunteers Programme) welcomed the event and thanked the volunteers for their selfless work. Characteristically, Ms Savva said: “We believe in the power of the team and the value of cooperation. Our commitment is to stand by the society of our country and to support its initiatives. For these reasons we have decided to join forces with the Organisation Pafos2017 and support the unsung heroes who give substance with their selfless action in this ambitious project”.

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The seminar subject was about how the people of the Hospitality industry will handle the forthcoming clients

We are so pleased that some restaurant owners from Paphos district have received a very useful seminar at CORAL BEACH & RESORT HOTEL Paphos Cyprus.

The seminar subject was about how the people of the Hospitality industry will handle the forthcoming clients to Paphos for the European Capital of Culture – Pafos 2017, along with a lot of sensitive matters concerning customer care. Michael Demosthenous the expert consultant in Tourism & trainer who was the producer of the unique seminar, was very impressed for the attention and the interactive way of the seminar participants.

The seminar was held on the 1.12.16 at CORAL BEACH which the service, the food and attention was with care and  satisfactory. Great Thanks  to all of them made our seminar so successful.

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Cultural Center and Toy Museum Aradippou Municipality

The Aradippou Municipality completed the Cultural Centre by the end of 2013 hosts Toy Museum of Aradippou Municipality. The Toy Museum visit over 2000 students from all over Cyprus each year and this number is increasing every year. The museum runs educational program, workshops and lectures. The museum works in collaboration with the Children’s Museum of Cyprus and the Foundation “Wisdom for children.”

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Weaving Traditional Memories at Livadia Museum

Livadia village is home to a unique basket weaving folkart using cane and reeds, and the preservation of this significant part of the village’s history has now been secured through the new Craft of Caning Museum, which showcases the art of weaving… memories of the past!

The museum was inaugurated on November 21 after an initiative by Livadia Municipality to create a space to preserve and share its traditional basketry ‘calamoti’, which is only practised by a handful of women today, but was once an incredibly important part of the villagers’ everyday life and employment.

In olden days, the women spent whole days of the year paring and splitting reeds in order to make various basketry products, and Livadia is the only place on the island where ‘psatharkes’ (traditionally used for roofing) are still made. The village’s basketry and straw mat making are also included on the UNESCO Intangible World Heritage List.

The new museum displays this rich history in a modern and attractive way within a structure itself made with cane, and comprises a large array of baskets, musical instruments, tools and other interesting exhibits and information, including a photographic exhibition.

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Conference for Education on Sustainable Development in the Mediterranean

Address by the Minister of Education 

I welcome you to Cyprus. It is our great pleasure that this initiative of Cyprus is bearing fruit, culminating with this two-day Conference. Your response is important, since more than 20 countries, as well as international and regional organizations responded to the invitation to join forces and to even add a bit to the worldwide effort to shape a world that can give hope and perspective on the basis of the principles and values of sustainable development.

Your presence on our island is a great honor for Cyprus and me, since it comes at a difficult and politically sensitive period for the planet and particularly for our region. The organization of this conference is a true achievement, and it is at the same time the starting point of a new Mediterranean partnership in Education, Environment and Sustainable Development.

Education is the strongest and effective mean for shaping a world that is more safe, peaceful and fair; a world that lives in harmony and protecting the environment. It is no coincidence that, despite the progress made at the scientific level and in the regulations regarding the environment and the sustainable development, is in the education that particular emphasis is given in policies and strategies concerning the environment and sustainability. And this, ladies and gentlemen, because it has been proved in practice that in order to achieve sustainability, it is more important than shaping laws and scientific progress, to contribute – through education – to the shaping of citizens who operate on the basis of values, based on the respect of human rights, solidarity, respect of diversity, religion, culture, ethnicity, respect for every living organism, love for the Earth, the preservation of natural resources and the environment.

Ladies and gentlemen,

What we all want is to create the conditions, through education, for a creative and sustainable future, based on the present and using at the same time the experiences and the lessons of the past. In this framework we are structuring the Strategic Action Plan for Education on Sustainable Development in the Mediterranean. It is an effort which in effect is the result of international initiatives undertaken in the last decade for Education on Sustainable Development and that is still continuing even more powerfully nowadays. At the same time, it is structured and oriented to the new goals for the future set by the United Nations on the objectives of sustainable development by 2030, the World Action Plan for Education on Sustainable Development of UNESCO, as well as the future Action Plan for Education on Sustainable Development of UNECE.

Ladies and gentlemen,

In the last fifteen years no one can ignore all these that have happened and have been achieved in the field of Education on Sustainable Development. Nonetheless we are not able to ignore what remains as challenge, especially for the Mediterranean. We are living in a region with specific qualitative characteristics. Characteristics which are reflected in our common cultural, historical and natural heritage. All these things unite us and it is along these that we should proceed, in order to be able to tackle common challenges.

I am certain that we all have many good examples of good practice to mention. This of course is very important because we have a great deal to learn and gain as states and as individuals. However, one cannot argue the fact that the phenomenon of environmental degradation as well as the phenomena of unsustainable practices are becoming more serious and stronger in our region. The phenomenon of climate change and desertification is a problem for all of us. Migration, the risks for the eradication of biodiversity and the depletion of natural resources, maritime pollution and coast pollution, waste, the destruction of our cultural heritage, safety and peace in our region are not issues of one country or another. They are our problems, they are common issues. It is for this reason that the development of the Mediterranean cooperation among the states is more necessary than ever before.

Ladies and gentlemen,

This conference is taking place in Nicosia, the last divided capital of Europe. During this period there is a culmination in the effort to solve the Cyprus problem and to reunify the country. The Cyprus government is making every possible effort to lead us to a solution which will be governed by the European principles and values, will secure human rights and fundamental freedoms for all lawful inhabitants of Cyprus and will lift of occupying troops and anachronistic systems of external guarantees. A solution which will highlight Cyprus as a factor of peace and stability in the broader Mediterranean region. Such a solution will certainly create better prospects for a more sustainable future, since major environmental problems have no dividing lines and their management can surely be achieved better in a reunited Cyprus.

Dear colleagues,

The Action Plan for Education on Sustainable Development in the Mediterranean is a dynamic, progressive and flexible policy document, which was prepared based on the criterion that can be implemented in the specific framework of each country, giving emphasis and importance to the development of the Mediterranean Partnership to the direction of Sustainable Development. It is up to us to work towards its implementation and realization. The presence of all of you today, here in Cyprus, makes me feel certain that we all share the same concerns and considerations. We are here to join forces, thoughts and voices in order to give prospects to our neighborhood. The children of Potamia primary school, our children, whom I congratulate for the strength of their works and their deeds, gave us the most powerful message and I would like to close my speech with the repetition of their words: “Give an opportunity to education, invest in education and give it the value that it deserves. The hope of all is to shape a more fair, peaceful and safe world, which will allow us to live in conditions of sustainability”.

I am certain that their message will be conveyed to your own countries. I am convinced that with the cooperation and the contribution of all of us, the results of this conference can make us all more optimistic about the sustainability and the quality of life which we envisage for the Mediterranean, Europe and the Planet. Education is our strength and we must invest in it and rely on it.

Thank you for your attention.

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152 projects, 300 Actions and Events, 1500 Artists the programme of events of the Pafos2017

On Thursday 6th of October 2016, the Organisation European Capital of Culture – Pafos2017 presented its programme of events in the gardens of its headquarters. A few months prior to the official opening of the institution, the Organisation “opened” its doors to the public of Pafos for the presentation of its programme, on a special and unique evening. 

If I were to reach Cyprus,

the land of Aphrodite,

where love wanders,

and enchant the hearts of the mortals.

In Pafos, which is endowed, without rain,

the flow from a hundred spouts of another river”

The presenter of the event, Neoklis Neokleous, together with a group of children from the Pafos Music Lyceum opened the evening with a poem by Euripides, “Bacchae”, which was followed by a speech by the Mayor of Pafos, Mr Phedonas Phedonos.

In an atmosphere of emotion and pride, hundreds of locals and foreigners embraced the evening and were informed of everything that is about to happen in 2017 in Pafos, which as mentioned in the speech of the Organisation’s Chairman, Dr Christos Patsalides, “(Pafos) will transform into an Open Stage with works and events throughout the whole district, as a new and dynamic town”. Through a retrospective, beginning with the claiming of institution of the European Capital of Culture in 2012 up to this day, the Organisation’s Chairman recounted the course of the Organisation, pointing out the difficult economic and social conditions under which the programme of the European Capital of Culture was created.

Next, Georgia Doetzer, the Organisation’s Artistic Programme Director, referred to the planning of such an institution – “this is an institution different to a Festival or similar events, which involves a complex and long in duration programme that lasts for a whole year, during which activities, events, co-operations and exchanges will take place and whose results will not wear out during this year but will affect, influence and change the town as well as its citizens’ life in the long term”.

The programme of the European Capital of Culture consists of the following thematic sections: Myth and Religion, Travellers of the World and Stages of the Future, as well as The Travelling Stage, an extensive platform that runs through all three aforementioned thematic sections. The projects (which include many more cultural events, activities and interventions) come from different kinds of artistic expression and in order to connect conceptually and to be harmoniously understood by the audience, these have been allocated in subcategories that set the framework and define the philosophical and thematic reference horizon.

Opening Ceremony, 28 & 29 January 2017

The opening ceremony is inspired by the thematic section “Myth and Religion”, within the context of the opening weekend’s events on the 28th and 29th of January 2017. In light of the founding myth of Pygmalion and Galatea, which reminds us that Pafos – the result of their erotic union – is already a work of art, since Galatea was a statue that came to life, the main goal of the Open Air Factory is set: that of the comeback of Pafos as a town of creativity and cultural production. The opening ceremony of the European Capital of Culture resets Pafos on the cultural map as a place of creativity and perspective, and the Open Air Factory as a the driving force that creates the preconditions for get-togethers, dialogue and exchange.

The Artistic Programme Director of the Pafos2017 Organisation also referred to the grand event of the Berlin Philharmonic, one of Europe’s leading ensembles with hundreds of concerts, appearances and recordings throughout the world, which will take place on the 1st of May 2017 at the Castle square. She also mentioned the Great Summer Event – Eternal Travels, which, as opposed to the Opening Ceremony, will be placed in the harbour area and will tell the stories of travellers from antiquity to this date.

Almost 1500 creators, artists, 152 projects and 300 activities will create a year of celebration, dialogue and exchange that will doubtlessly mark Pafos and its people, shifting the focus of everyday life towards culture, art and beauty.

Official Platinum Sponsor: Bank of Cyprus

Official Telecommunications Provider: CYTA

Official Golden Sponsors: OPAP, Cooperative Central Bank

Please click here for the programme of events

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Tourist arrivals +14,9% November 2016

On the basis of the results of the Passengers Survey, arrivals of tourists reached 124.192 in November 2016 compared to 108.093 in November 2015, recording an increase of 14.9%.

For the period of January – November 2016 arrivals of tourists totaled 3.098.604 compared to 2.581.057 in the corresponding period of 2015, recording an increase of 20.1% and outnumbering the total arrivals ever recorded in Cyprus during the first eleven months of the year (Table 1).

Analysis of changes

Tourist arrivals from the United Kingdom increased by 3.4% in November 2016 compared to November 2015 while an increase of 51.9% was recorded for tourists from Greece. Increases were also recorded from other important tourist markets, such as Germany (51.9%), Israel (112.7%) and Poland (13.0%). Contrary to that, a decrease of 0.6% in tourist arrivals from Russia was recorded. Percentage changes from one year to the next for the main countries of usual residence of tourists, are presented in Table 1.

Main countries

The United Kingdom and Russia constitute the main sources of tourism for Cyprus, with proportions of 34.9% and 14.2% respectively, while arrivals from Greece comprise 11.7% and from Germany 10.4% of total arrivals (Table 2).

Characteristics of tourists

For a percentage of 68.2% of tourists, the purpose of their trip was holidays, for 15,2% visit to friends and relatives and for 16,4% business (Table 3).

Men comprise 53,8% of tourists and women 46,2%, whilst most of the tourists belonged to the age group of 20-44 years (Table 3).

Table 1
Country of usual residence	November				January – November
	Tourist arrivals			% change 2016/15	Tourist arrivals			% change 2016/15
	2014	2015	2016		2014	2015	2016
TOTAL	81.437	108.093	124.192	14,9	2.384.375	2.581.057	3.098.604	20,1
Austria	1.391	1.825	1.867	2,3	23.160	31.408	29.732	-5,3
Belgium	1.007	1.414	1.078	-23,8	25.208	21.432	27.103	26,5
France	1.312	1.987	1.988	0,1	27.197	35.145	40.869	16,3
Germany	9.303	8.499	12.908	51,9	83.988	108.489	119.617	10,3
Denmark	119	120	112	-6,7	30.480	25.144	29.439	17,1
Switzerland (incl. Lichten.)	1.307	1.529	1.663	8,8	48.465	46.075	52.851	14,7
Greece	7.534	9.534	14.479	51,9	92.692	128.140	147.227	14,9
United Kingdom	28.859	41.856	43.296	3,4	853.528	1.015.352	1.131.858	11,5
Israel	3.713	3.387	7.204	112,7	65.503	94.114	141.496	50,3
Lebanon	1.834	1.406	1.901	35,2	31.529	35.146	48.413	37,7
Norway	1.265	1.170	1.126	-3,8	56.106	46.192	46.541	0,8
Netherlands	1.089	655	859	31,1	21.736	29.022	28.781	-0,8
Ukraine	1.553	2.028	1.615	-20,4	39.821	48.895	60.875	24,5
Poland	1.318	2.344	2.648	13,0	28.037	41.659	41.552	-0,3
Russia	8.728	17.740	17.637	-0,6	631.809	516.661	769.445	48,9
Sweden	1.507	832	1.231	48,0	105.690	107.732	114.104	5,9
Finland	142	126	119	-5,6	23.843	19.291	18.229	-5,5
Other	9.456	11.641	12.461	7,0	195.583	231.160	250.472	8,4

Table 2
Country of usual residence of tourists	Percentage (%)
	Nov. 15	Jan – Nov. 15	Nov. 16	Jan. – Nov. 16
United Kingdom	38,7	39,3	34,9	36,5
Russia	16,4	20,0	14,2	24,8
Greece	8,8	5,0	11,7	4,8
Germany	7,9	4,2	10,4	3,9
Israel	3,1	3,6	5,8	4,6
Poland	2,2	1,6	2,1	1,3
France	1,8	1,4	1,6	1,3
Other countries	21,1	24,9	19,3	22,8

Table 3
Purpose and characteristics of tourists		Percentage (%)
		Nov. 14	Nov. 15	Nov. 16
Purpose
Holidays	68,4		71,1	68,2
Visiting friends & relatives	15,6		14,7	15,2
Business	15,7		13,9	16,4
Sex*
Males	50,1		46,8	53,8
Females	49,9		53,2	46,2
Age*
<20	6,8		4,9	6,7
20-44	41,7		45,6	44,4
45-64	34,9		36,1	38,9
65+	16,2		13,1	9,7
Not stated	0,3		0,3	0,3
* Provisional data for November 2016

Methodological Notes

Definitions

Tourists – Visitors who stay for at least one night in Cyprus.

Tourist arrivals – The term refers to the number of trips and not to the number of persons. This differs in the sense that one person can take more than one trips during the reference period.

Source of data and coverage

The data are obtained from the Passengers Survey which is conducted in the arrivals and departures halls in the airports of Larnaka and Pafos, as well as from administrative sources such as the monthly arrivals at ports.

The survey covers all persons who pass through passport control at the ports and airports in the Government controlled area of Cyprus. It does not include travelers who arrive and depart illegally via ports and airports in the occupied part of Cyprus.
The weighting of data is conducted based on the data sent to the Statistical Service by the Civil Aviation Department and from the ship manifests, as well as from data sent by the Analysis and Statistics Office of the Cyprus Police.

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Seatrac beaches of Chios

The Municipal Company of the Municipality of Chios proceeded to the installation of the innovative system SEATRAC on the island beaches. This system enables people with disabilities to enter the sea without the help of another person.

SEATRAC along with two recently purchased wheelchairs specifically designed for entering the sea, will be available from the beginning of the summer season, along with the rest of the beach equipment supplied by the Municipal Company.

These come in addition to the supply of wheelchairs made available to the traveler’s service in Chios Customs and the installation and operation of the lift at Chios Town Hall, so that every Citizen has access to everyday facilities.

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Dynamic presence of Chios Travel Turkey 2016

The International tourism exhibition «Travel Turkey 2016» was held in Izmir with a strong presence of Chios. The exhibition is held every December and is a major attraction of global tourism, in which our island has a dynamic presence.

This year there was a very good coordination between the island stakeholders and together they represented Chios, united in a tourist kiosk, which was designed on the island especially for the exhibition.

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Radisson Blu Conference and Airport Hotel, Larnaca

Sunnyseeker Hotels is continuously expanding and establishing its presence on the island by announcing the second hotel signing with The Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the most dynamic hotel companies worldwide and a member of Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group with over 337 hotels in operation or under development in Europe.

Radisson Blu Conference and Airport Hotel, Larnaca is scheduled to open in 2019 and wil be the first aiport hotel and conference center in Cyprus.

Located just 1km from Larnaca International Airport, the 180-guestroom hotel will feature extensive meetings and events facilities, exquisite leisure facilities, which include a spa, gym, tennis court, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and will be constructed, designed and operated according to the high standards and specifications of Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group.

Executive Vice President & Chief Development Officer of the Rezidor Hotel Group, Mr. Elie Younes, said ”we are delighted to sign our second hotel in Cyprus and to extend our relationship with Sunnyseeker Hotels, following the signing of our first property in Cyprus in 2015, with JWPegasus. Cyprus is a market still dominated by local hotel brands. We are adding and growing the international Radisson Blu brand and opening new accommodation options to our customers.”

Mr Marios Polyviou, CEO of Sunnyseeker Hotels said ”we are pleased to develop our relationship with Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group with the signing of Radisson Blu Conference and Airport Hotel, Larnaca. We believe future demand will only grow with the city’s keenly anticipated future plans for tourism development, combined with the appeal of a trusted brand such as Radisson Blu.”

Sunnyseeker Hotels would like to thank Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group for the trust and confidence they have shown in our Company.

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