Highlights: When the sun begins to rise, visitors can lay gently on the soft poolside mattresses and listen to soft atmospheric music, amidst a scene of fabric, wood, stone, sofas, cushions, candlesticks and hookahs.

Location: This summer the most popular meeting point in Ayia Napa is the incredible Ritual Lounge SOMA, located at Napa Plaza Hotel.

Menu: At Ritual Lounge bar guests relax while sipping refreshing cocktails made from a vast selection of fruit and herbs (cardamom, cinnamon, roses) from all over the world combined with premium spirits. The same philosophy is followed in our mouthwatering sushi menu.

Hours: Open Seasonaly, every day from 09:00-02:00

The Cyprus Theatre Organisation (THOC) in collaboration with the Famagusta Walled City Association (MASDER) presents the tragedy by Euripides Hippolytus at the Ancient Theatre of Salamis on Friday 11^th September 2015, at 21.00

The performance is surtitled in Turkish and in English.

The performance is under the auspices of the Bi-communal Technical Committee on Culture.

ABOUT THE PLAY

Hippolytus, the son of Theseus and Amazon Hippolyta, is a devoted follower of Artemis. He loathes love and refuses to revere goddess Aphrodite. Thus, in order to punish him, Aphrodite inspires Phaedra, Hippolytus’ stepmother, to fall in love with him. In an attempt to help her, her Nurse reveals her secret to Hippolytus, after making him swear an oath that he will not tell anyone else. Hippolytus leaves, rebuking and insulting women. Trying to preserve her dignity, Phaedra accuses Hippolytus of raping her. Blinded by rage, Theseus curses his son who eventually meets his fate.

Hippolytus was produced in 428BC. A few years earlier Euripides had staged a play with the same subject but received negative criticism. Thus, the dramatist revisits the myth, rewrites the play and wins the first prize – he won three more. The Athenian audience is shocked by the political events, just as we are today. What exactly does a play about a ‘forbidden’ love tell us? Yet, the play is not just about that…

The Peloponnesian War began three years before the production of the play. Since nobody could predict its outcome, people were depressed just like today. In this play, Euripides dares to debunk the value system of his time. Since social institutions and values are today questioned, contemporary man is disappointed and follows an antiheroic road full of passions and loneliness that often leads him to ruin. Who is Hippolytus? A young man who denies the heritage of the previous generation? Does he represent the deceived youth of our era? Or is he the young man who loathes politics or love?

Translation: Fotis Fotiou

Adaptation: Neoklis Neokleous, Fotis Fotiou

Direction: Neoklis Neokleous

Set-Costume Design: Harris Kafkarides, Melita Couta

Music: Neoklis Neofytides

Songs Instruction: Christina Argyri

Choreography: Fotis Nikolaou

Movement: Neoklis Neokleous, Fotis Nikolaou

Lighting Design: Stavros Tartaris

Assistant to the Director: Fotis Fotiou

Assistant to the Set-Costume Designers: Eleni Ioannou

Cast (in order of appearance):

Kristie Papadopoulou (Aphrodite) Andreas Papamichalopoulos (Hippolytus) Demetris Antoniou (Therapon) Anna Yiagiozi (Nurse) Niovi Charalambous (Phaedra) Giorgos Kyriakou (Theseus) Demetris Antoniou, Panayiotis Larkou, Irodotos Miltiadous, Andreas Makris (Messenger) Marina Mandri (Artemis)

Female Chorus: Andri Angelidou, Nayia Anastasiadou, Anna Yiagiozi, Marina Mandri, Kristie Papadopoulou, Kynthia Pavlidou, Antonia Charalambous, Niovi Charalambous

Male Chorus: Demetris Antoniou, Panayiotis Larkou, Irodotos Miltiadous, Andreas Makris

For information: THOC 77772717 (from  Friday 28 August), MASDER 0533 8763118

The Chalcoessa Cultural Services Ltd is a non-profit company created by the Association of Cyprus Tourist Guides aimed at, inter alia, the promotion of culture and civilization. Within this framework, a  tour program in Greek language for residents of Cyprus is inaugurated soon.

The program will run from September 26 until December 19, with guided tours every Saturday to known and unknown parts of Cyprus. All tours will be led  by Cypriots professional guides, members of Chalkoessa and the Association of Cyprus Tourist Guides.

The logo of the company is a copper “oxhide” ingot (talantο), because copper was one of the major factors that determined the history and culture of Cyprus. The photo shows a copper ingot from Engomi circa 1300 BC.

Participants in our study trips will remember a lot and learn even more on the history, monuments, tradition and culture of our island. Reservations starting from September 1st. For information phone: 96922032 (central), or 99524624, 99836559, 99609898. (www.chalcoessa.org , Ηλ. διεύθυνση: info@chalcoessa.org)

1. THE CHURCH

The church of the Virgin Mary Kanakaria in Lythragkomi village in the Karpas peninsula, is an Early Christian Basilica . From this phase only the arch which is incorporated into the later phase of the church survives (12th century). During the period of the iconoclasm (8^th – 10^th centuries) the mosaic was preserved because it has been covered with plaster which was removed in the 19th century. It is the oldest mosaic arch in Cyprus (6th century) that was preserved in situ. The church, the frescoes and the mosaics were preserved by the American Institute of Dumbarton Oaks in Washington in 1973 and a publication of the restoration of the monument was released in 1977.

2. The mosaics

Until 1974 in the conch of the apse of the Virgin Mary Kanakaria in Lythragkomi the mosaic representation of the Virgin Mary, enthroned with Christ in a bright glory flanked by archangels and palm trees, was portrayed. The whole composition was surrounded by wide decorative band of meander spur, which included thirteen medallions with the busts of the twelve apostles and one possibly depicting a cross or Christ. The iconographic theme emphasizes the doctrine of the divine Incarnation and at the same time highlights the form of the Virgin Mary depicted with Christ in glory. The mosaic subject has been associated with the intense Christological disputes of the two natures of Christ, and is related with the passage of the  Revelation 12.1. The depiction of the Apostles around the apse can be related to similar early Christian representations found in also other Monuments of this period.

3. THEFT OF THE MOSAIC

From 1976, when the last legal residents of Lythragkomi were expelled by the Turkish army, until 1979, when the Antiquities Department received the information of its removal from a foreign diplomat, the mosaic of the Virgin Kanakaria church  was  systematically cut into pieces and removed. The diplomat found in the church floor some mosaic fragments of the decorative band of the composition, which were brought in the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus. Since then the struggle to find the fragments of the mosaic composition has begun.

4. FIRST REPATRIATION

During the negotiations of the Menil Foundation of Texas with the Turkish smuggler Aydin Dikmen for the purchase of the Saint Euphemianos of Lyssi frescoes, which took place in Dikmens headquarters in Munich, Germany in 1984, a number of fragments of the kanakaria mosaic was identified. The negotiators forced Dikmen to send to the Cypriot Authorities four fragments of the Kanakaria mosaic in order to conclude the negotiations. Only two of the fragments sent by Dikmen were proved genuine: the medals depicting Bartholomew the Apostle and Luke the Evangelist.

5. THE SECOND REPATRIATION

In 1988 the American art dealer Peg Goldberg bought four fragments of the kanakaria mosaic for one million dollars from the Turkish smuggler Aydin Dikmen and she tried to resell them at the Paul Getty Museum for 20 million dollars. The curator of the Museum informed the Cypriot Authorities which together with the Church of Cyprus, fled to the American Justice and achieved the repatriation of the mosaics in 1991. On 30. 11. 1991 the Kanakaria mosaic fragments depicting Christ, Archangel Michael, Apostle James and Evangelist Matthew were repatriated.

6. THIRD REPATRIATION

In 1997 the Dutch art dealer Van Rijn suggested his mediation to the Turkish smuggler Aydin Dikmen to acquire a mosaic with the Apostle Thaddeus from the church of Panagia Kanakarias and 32 fragments of wall paintings from the church of Antifonitis in Kalograia. The Church of Cyprus accepted the mediation and for the whole operation the German police and the Interpol were informed.

7. ΤHE FOURTH REPATRIATION

In 1997 the German authorities and Interpol managed to find and seize in two apartments of the Turkish smuggler Aydin Dikmen in Munich 260 icons, frescoes, mosaics and manuscripts from the Turkish-occupied Cyprus. In 2013, after 16 years of litigation 173 ecclesiastical treasures from fifty looted churches in the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus were repatriated. Among those were four fragments of the 6th century Kanakaria Mosaic: a medallion depicting St. Thomas, the hand of the Virgin, the right hand of the Archangel and a fragment of the decorative band.

7. ΤΗΕ FIFTH REPATRIATION

Twenty-three ecclesiastical treasures, from those seized in the apartments of the Turkish smuggler Aydin Dikmen, were repatriated in August 2015. In addition a small case with the tesserae used by Dikmen to create false mosaics was brought to Cyprus. Among the tesserae used by the smuggler are genuine tesserae from the Kanakaria Mosaic.

8. RESTORΑΤΙΟΝ OF THE KANAKARIA MOSAIC

Within the framework of the restoration programme which is partly funded by the Government of the Swiss Confederation (2015-2018), all repatriated treasures are in the process of restoration in cooperation of the Byzantine Museum of the Archbishop Makarios III Foundation with the Department of Antiquities of Cyprus and the Athens Byzantine and Christian Museum. The mosaic fragments of Panagia Kanakaria will be restored to their original form and will be joined together; later will be exposed on an arch which will be built in the Byzantine Museum. The mosaic exhibition in the Museum is hoped to be only temporary as the expectations of all Cypriots are to be returned in the church of Virgin Mary Kanakaria in Lythrangomi, from where they were stolen, after the solution of the Cyprus problem

This is beach is located at Kiti. This is a sundy beach where the kareta kareta turtles lay theire eggs. Facilities: sunbeds, showers, toilets, car parking, umbrellas, changing rooms. A beach bar is to be found on the beach.

A beach next to Kastella. Kastella Beach is situated near the Psarolimano Fishing Shelter in Larnaka (Larnaca), some 15 minutes walk from the town centre. It is a small beach with fine grey sand. The sea is usually calm and the water clear. The beach has a length of about 400 metres, while the width varies from 20 metres to 70 metres. There is easy and safe access to the beach either by bus and car or on foot. There are parking facilities at a small car park at the fishing shelter nearby. There are several services and facilities at the beach such as toilets, changing rooms, sun beds and umbrellas, lifeguards with lifesaving equipment and first aid. Many fish taverns, restaurants, ice-cream shops and mini markets are found near the beach.

Pylas CTO Beach is a long beach in green surroundings with fine grey sand in and out of the water. The water is shallow and clear and the sea is usually calm, ideal for swimming. There are several services and facilities at the beach, such as toilets, changing rooms, sun beds and umbrellas. The long sandy areas make the Dasaki Pylas Beach ideal for beach games and walking. It is situated along the Larnaka (Larnaca) Dhekelia road.

The small photograph showes what has been left from the unique mosaic at the church of Virgin Mary Kanakaria at Lithrangomi, Karpasia, which dates back to the first half of the 6th century, at Justinian era. A small part of the mosaic is still kept in the church most of it having been forcibly removed.

Similar damage has been done to the fresco above the entrance. It is absolutely necessary for the authorities to take conservation measures.

Source: PIO

Sadly, the rich cultural heritage of the northern part of Cyprus has, since 1974 (due to the invasion of Turkish troops in Cyprus) been systematically subjected toextensive damage, disfigurement and theft by the occupying forces.*

*WARNING: For your own safety you are advised NOT to visit the area of the Cyprus Republic under Turkish military occupation.

When a surprise air-ticket win left two Larnaka residents with the unexpected delight of a family visit from the Antipodes, initial euphoria gave way to slight trepidation as they realised it was a long time since they’d needed to keep two little toddlers amused in winter as well as summer.

Surprisingly, there were absolutely no suggestions, or even contact, from the co-promoters of the competition – so they sought the help of the Larnaka Tourism Board (LTB).

“With a three year old and an almost-one-year-old arriving, we realised we were out of touch with year round activities that would maximise the opportunities for two highly intelligent information-seeking adults in the communications business and two inquisitive, wriggly, smiley toddlers”, they said. “Summer is easy, but what about the odd windy, cold or rainy winter days?”

“We reckon we’re fairly knowledgeable about the Larnaka area …..in terms of what it offers adults. But just how much, we wondered, was ‘officially’ child friendly.

“What we hadn’t realised was how well-prepared the LTB was to provide that information; either directly to enquirers, or through their hotels and tour operators.

“LTB produced this amazing, lengthy list, including all the details of the free excursions and guided tours in the ‘Winter Programme’. Some of the events involved really cheap local-bus travel (euros1.50 per adult each way) plus free entry to a venue, or a free guided tour; other day trips were on free coaches, with tour guides, and pick-up from the various hotels. How good is that?”

The list included family-friendly fishing trips, sporting and water-sporting activities, museum visits  and – in summer-  even a ‘Zenobia Week’ free glass-bottomed boat trip out to one of the world’s most famous wrecks and dive sites (and a spectacular view of the Larnaka coast and wind turbines.) plus so manyother things!

A visit to the Buffer-Zone village of Athienou – with a guided tour of the museum and restored flour mill, together with a demonstration of Halloumi-making – provided background information on the history and archaeology of the area, the challenges of living on a divided island, and an understanding of cottage industry as well as modern-day activities! It was very child-friendly too.

And of course, the Camel Park at Mazotos gave winter-time opportunities to ride and feed the camels, but also hand-feed the ponies, donkeys, horses, deer, ostrich, goats and porcupines; see some of Cyprus’s marine life, and touch the tortoises.

There are plenty of coin-in-the-slot rides, trampolines and even a miniature train-ride for the kids, plus a swimming pool with free access to all park visitors in summer.

The restaurant, of course, serves a wide range of food (and, naturally, huge ice-cream concoctions), year round. And you can also buy the highly nutritious camel milk! They even organise kids’ parties if you have a youngster celebrating!

The free guided coach tour to the villages of Lefkara and Skarinou left both adults and children mesmerised! Even the toddlers loved watching the elderly ladies working on their embroidery. The adults enjoyed the free regional wine tasting and those adults and children without allergies enjoyed the locally-grown nuts. Lefkara has so much history, and has now been included in the list of Europe’s 30 most beautiful villages by Japan’s Association of Travel Agents!

In Skarinou there was the opportunity to visit the donkey farm, see all the things (from skin products to liqueur) made from donkey milk and to test a wide range of olive products too.

The little ones were fascinated by the demonstration of olive-bread making, overawed by the juicy oranges growing on the trees, and loved the local cuisine on offer.

The whole family found the exhibition of ‘Cypriot life in the past’ quite fascinating.

“The LTB list of activities seemed endless, and the family reckon they need lots more visits and time to work their way through the attractions” say grandma and grandad!

The ‘Destination of Sustainable Cultural Tourism’ contest is organized by the European Cultural Tourism Network (ECTN), for all tourism destinations Europe-wide. The theme for the 2015 award calls for ‘Industrial Heritage Tourism’ and winners are recognized as ‘examples of excellence’ aiming to inspire and stimulate other European tourism destinations.

Hence, the Limassol Tourism Board applied for the award using the Lanitis Carob Mill project of Limassol. Titled ‘Limassol (Cyprus): Turning a Carob Mill and Warehouse into the Old Town Hotspot’, the Board was working alongside the management team of Carob Mill Restaurants ltd, becoming the worthy beholder of the second place. The first prize was awarded to Poland and the third prize to Latvia.

The Carob Mill was previously used in the 1800’s as a mere warehouse, and by the 1920’s was converted into a carob mill. By the year 1937, the carobs were exported for animal feed in the UK, Germany, Russia, France and Egypt and also used as a chocolate substitute in the sweet industry. The seeds, thus, enjoyed a particular great demand. The substance was later used in the photographic film manufacture industries and in Pharmaceutical industries respectively.

Carob Mill Restaurants ltd was therefore the next step to the evolution of the site. The project includes restaurants, ballrooms, the carob museum and a cultural centre which hosts international exhibitions, big corporate social events as well as conferences.

All this happening and vibrating in Limassol’s old city centre, the site is situated right next to the Medieval Castle; which was home to the only British Royal couple that ever got married outside Britain, Richard Lionheart and Berergaria. Today, as we speak, Limassol’s Medieval Castle is a most visited place for every holiday seeker, every tourist and every local as it has become one of the most recreational areas of the island.

At a time when cultural and heritage tourism is probably the fastest growing sector of all European tourism, Limassol continues to uphold and strengthen its place as a destination of quality with much more to offer than the typical ‘sun and sea’ tourism model.

Possibly the most expensive yacht in the world has arrived to Ayia Napa Russian Billionaire’s ANDREY MELNICHENKO Yacht M/Y A COST $300 MILLION

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Larnaka Tourism Board Online Photographic Competition 2016 Flamingos in Larnaka

Terms and conditions
1. Subject
1.1 Title: Flamingos in Larnaka.
1.2 Image date: The photos must be taken during the current winter season (November 2015 until end January 2016).
1.3 Image Location: At the Larnaka Salt Lakes or Oroklini Lake, emphasizing on the Flamingos, as the title suggests.

2. About the submission
2.1 The entrant should be the author of the photo submitted. By submitting an entry, he/she states that, the photo he/she submits does not break the law nor infringe rights of third parties.
2.2 The entrant should submit up to 1 photograph, in order to be used in the voting procedure.
2.3 Photographs should be submitted by Sunday 31st of January 2016, in .jpg format by email at info@larnakaregion.com, stating your Name, Email, Phone Number and Date the Photo was taken.
2.4 The competition is open to all photographers (both amateur and professional), from all over Cyprus and abroad.
2.5 Participation is free.
2.6 Panoramic or square shaped photographs are allowed.
2.7 On the submitted photographs, any kind of mark, such as watermark, initials, dates etc., is not allowed. Black and white images (monochrome) are not permitted
2.8 Electronic image processing by the means of image editing software is only allowed for tonal corrections (brightness and contrast) as well as colour saturation (without exceeding the plausibility of the image though).
2.9 By entering this competition, the participant confirms that he/she has read and agrees to the present conditions and terms. Non-compliance with any of the conditions and terms, implies the exclusion from the competition.

3. Competition
3.1 The competition is organized by the Larnaka Tourism Board.
3.2 The competition will be online on the 4th of February 2016 until the 18th of February 2016 in https://www.facebook.com/LarnakaTourism/.
3.3 During the competition, all pictures will be anonymous and at random but numbered order. The logo of the Larnaka Tourism Board will be added for the competition purposes.
3.4 Participants are allowed to share their image online.
3.5 The photographs with the highest number of votes are the winners.
3.6 After the voting procedure, entrants, whose photos will be selected, will be informed accordingly, in order to send the full size photo and we may request the original photo.
3.7 The Larnaka Tourism Board and the Cyprus Tourism Organisation have the right to use all the submitted images on their websites and/or elsewhere, mentioning the author’s name.
3.8 The organisers will keep, for their archive, the awarded photos of the competition, as well as an electronic archive of all submitted photos. Whenever such a photo is used, the name of the author will be mentioned.

4. Awards
4.1 Three awards will be given and three honourable mentions. The first prize will receive €500, the second €200 and the third €100.
4.2 The organisers retain their right, during or after the voting procedure, not to give an award and/or an honourable mention, if they consider that the submitted photos do not meet the present conditions and terms.

For further information please contact the Larnaka Tourism Board, Tel. 24657070, info@larnakaregion.com

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“Α thousand miles of tastes” in Limassol

 The popular SKAI channel show “A thousand miles of tastes” (www.1000miliagefseis.gr), presented by the chef Mr Vangelis Driskas, visited Limassol in the framework of filming to present the Cypriot gastronomy, touristic sites, natural beauties and the Cyprus culture in two hourly shows.   The Limassol Tourism Development & Promotion Company cooperated with the Cyprus Embassy in Athens for the coordination and hospitality of the TV crew in Limassol.

The rich experience of the traveller was presented through the smile, happiness and politeness of the people that work in the tourist sector. During the two prime time shows the chef presented the Columbia Beach Resort in Pissouri and had a very interesting chat with the resort’s chef demonstrating the creation of delicious dishes and desserts, the production of koumandaria was the main subject of conversation with Mr Nicos Kallis at the Koumandaria Museum in Zoopigi, a traditional meal was prepared along with Mrs Yiota at “Chrisolemonia” tavern in Asgata village, and Cyprus gourmet cuisine was highlighted by the chef Ronti Damalis  at the restaurant “ta Piatakia – the little plates” in Limassol. Filming also took place at the Medieval Castle Square and the wider tourist area of Limassol.

The shows were broadcasted on the 2^nd and 9^th of January 2016 on SKAI TV (Greece). Similar presentations were made in previous shows for Prague, Belgrade and Sigkapore.

Through the show there was extensive promotion of Cyprus as a tourist destination and the beauties and qualities of Limassol were highlighted to the Greek viewers.

http://www.1000miliagefseis.gr/index.php/season-2/επεισόδιο-3-–-κύπρος-1ο-μέρος.html

http://www.1000miliagefseis.gr/index.php/season-2/επεισόδια-4-κύπρος-2ο-μέρος.html

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NEW PUBLICATION by the Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation “Valentinos Charalambous”

The Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation in 2015 published the book “Valentinos Charalambous” (in Greek).

The book looks at the life and work of Valentinos Charalambous, one of the foremost Cypriot ceramists of international acclaim. Born in Varosi in 1929, to a family of traditional potters, he went on to study in London before being invited to organize the Ceramics Department at Baghdad’s Academy of Fine Arts, where he would work for a total of 30 years. Drawing fascinating information from the artist’s archives and other sources, as well as a wealth of photographic material from his first exhibitions to his most contemporary works, the book is a token of the most comprehensive research carried out in relation to the artist, illuminating unknown aspects of a prolific creative path.

Author: Marina Schiza

Dimensions: 290 Χ 235 Χ 25 mm | Hardbound

Number of pages: 264

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Paragliding Lefkara – Aetomoutti 

Actually the takeoff is located between Lefkara and Delikipos villages. It is a new addition to the list of take-offs in the region with excellent prospects. He flies all seasons except winter. Take-off and landing is very easy and the flight is mainly thermal. The maximum amount of heat exceeding 1500 meters and goes up to 2500. The best flight area is 30 km. triangle and has been above the village of Lefkara, the Vavatsinias and Mountaintop Machairas.

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Paragliding in Cyprus Kalo Chorio, Limassol

The best place to fly to Cyprus so far. The flight is entirely thermal and fly all seasons except winter. The usual flight is over the Zoopigi villages, Kalo Horio Louvaras, Agios Mamas, Agios Konstantinos, Agios Theodoros Agros Pelendri and the top of the Papoutsa. The flight distance from the area is amazing and is performed with an average altitude of 2000 m., Reaching 3000m. Passes over the Arakapas villages Eptagonia, Vavatsinia and from the top of the columns – Machairas you can head to Nicosia or Larnaca. The greatest flight distance is 50 km.

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Paragliding in Cyprus Nose Jupiter

Located on the road to Kakopetria before Evrykhou village at 800 meters altitude.

Flies year-round with heat alone.

This site is still unexplored and counts as one of the best in Cyprus.

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Completion of the sale of Kermia Hotels Ltd and adjacent land

Further to the announcement dated 5 April 2016, Bank of Cyprus Public Company Ltd (the “Bank” or the ‘’Group’’) announces the completion of the sale of Kermia Hotels Ltd and adjacent land (together the ‘’Assets’’) for the agreed sale consideration of €26,5 mn.

The seller of the Assets is Kermia Ltd (‘’Kermia’’), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Bank, and the purchaser is Aesara Investment Ltd, a company controlled by Vasilis Nicolaides and Demetris Nicolaides, shareholders of Atlantica Leisure Group Ltd.

The transaction has resulted in a net profit after tax of approximately €2 mn, based on Group carrying values as at 31 March 2016, and a net capital benefit of approximately €18 mn, as a result of the current capital treatment of the Assets. As a result, the Group’s Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio[1] improved by 0,1 percentage points.

The sale of the Assets is in line with the Group’s strategy of deleveraging through the disposal of non-core exposures and of focusing on core businesses while, at the same time, strengthening its capital position.

As required by the Cyprus Stock Exchange and according to paragraph 5.2.1.17(7) of the Decision of the Council of the CSE Concerning the CSE Market 379/2014 (as amended), the transaction is at arm’s length, and it does not relate to or affect the interests of the Company’s Secretary or of any “designated person” in accordance with the meaning given to the aforementioned term in article 137(3) of the Cyprus Securities and Stock Exchange Law 14(I)/1993 (as amended).

Group Profile

Founded in 1899, Bank of Cyprus Group is the leading banking and financial services group in Cyprus. The Group provides a wide range of financial products and services which include retail and commercial banking, finance, factoring, investment banking, brokerage, fund management, private banking, life and general insurance. The Group operates through a total of 136 branches, of which 130 operate in Cyprus, 1 in Romania, 4 in the United Kingdom and 1 in the Channel Islands. Bank of Cyprus also has representative offices in Russia, Ukraine and China. The Bank of Cyprus Group employs 4.550 staff worldwide. At 31 March 2016, the Group’s Total Assets amounted to €22,7 bn and Total Equity was €3,1 bn.

[1] Based on the Group financial results as at 31 March 2016.

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The Darwin project for the restoration of Akrotiri Marsh supports the preservation of the craft of basketry in Akrotiri

One of the oldest handicrafts, whose practice has been fading away in the last decades, is being promoted thanks to the Darwin project for the restoration of Akrotiri Marsh.

Soft basketry weaving used to provide substantial financial income to the residents of Akrotiri village. However, since basketry products have been replaced by other contemporary items in recent years, the traditional craft of basketry has declined. Nowadays, very few villagers practice basketry since it is no longer profitable. The plants that make up the raw material for basketry are confined mainly to Akrotiri Marsh and the constant need for raw material as well as their availability contribute to the conservation of the wetlands of Akrotiri, including Akrotiri Marsh.

The Darwin project titled “Restoring Akrotiri Marsh: A flagship wetland in the Cyprus SBAs”, through funding training lessons and the collection of basketry materials, aims at transferring this valuable knowledge to the new generation in order to prevent the loss of this traditional craft. The collection of plants by locals started on 16 June 2016 and finished on 28 June 2016.

The collection of basketry material and the associated basketry workshop as part of the Darwin project is organised in collaboration with Akrotiri Environmental Education Centre which is one of the project partners. The Centre has a long history of contributing to the preservation of basketry by promoting the conservation of basketry-plant habitats, running basketry courses and organising group visits to basket makers.

The Darwin project “Akrotiri Marsh Restoration: a flagship wetland in the Cyprus SBAs” is funded by the Darwin Initiative through UK Government funding to restore Akrotiri Marsh and its biodiversity. BirdLife Cyprus is the lead partner in collaboration with two more partners, the Akrotiri Environmental Education Centre and RSPB (BirdLife partner in the UK).  This ecosystem-based conservation project has a duration of 2 years, between April 2015 and March 2017.

More information for the project can be found on the project website onwww.akrotirimarsh.org.

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Participation of Cyprus in the 57th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia

Open Call for Curator

On the occasion of the participation of Cyprus in the upcoming edition of the Venice Biennale of Visual Arts, which will take place between 13 May and 26 November 2017 (preview 10-12 May), the Ministry of Education and Culture, Department of Culture, is launching an international Open Call for Curators.

The Call is open to Cypriot and International curators, individuals or teams, with a strong curatorial background. The successful applicant will be invited to select the artist(s) representing Cyprus in the exhibition through a new Open Call (to be published in the Fall of 2016), and consequently develop and implement the Cyprus Pavilion exhibition project.

The curatorial selection process will be entrusted to the Advisory Committee for the Selection of Artists and Works of the Ministry, comprising a number of independent art professionals in Cyprus. The lead applicant will be engaged on contract by the commissioning Culture Department of the Ministry of Education and Culture.

Those interested to respond to the Open Call can make a submission via e-mail by Wednesday, 31 August 2016 to info@cyprusinvenice.org, containing: 1) Curriculum Vitae, and 2) Statement of Intent (in English or Greek, up to 500 words).

The final decision of the Advisory Committee will be announced by 30 September, 2016.

For any enquiries please contact:
T +357 22 809814/815/845, F +357 22 809872, E info@cyprusinvenice.org

For more information about the Biennale:
www.labiennale.org, www.cyprusinvenice.org

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