The Cyprus Tourism Organisation and their partners are regular exhibitors at the ITB Berlin. This year, the historic port and UNESCO Cultural Heritage city of Pafos (33,000 inhabitants) is European Capital of Culture 2017. Centre stage is not just the warm sunny weather but Pafos’ ancient Greek ruins (Palaipafos and Neapafos), Roman villas, Mediterranean promenade, Kourion amphitheatre, Kolossi castle, Kouklia, Trodos Mountains and Petra tou Romiou or Aphrodite’s Rock.
The European Capital of Culture Pafos 2017 hopes to bring together people from all over the world with more than 150 projects and 300 activities. The 2017 “Open Air Factory“ theme is regarded as a stepping-stone that will lead Pafos on to new paths, innovative ways of thinking and novel experiences – and to additional group, study and cultural travel business. Pafos has issued an open invitation to artists, citizens and visitors to come together and actively co-create in different projects and networks (e.g. laying mosaics, glass-blowing, wall painting, woodcutting) - “Linking Continents-Bridging Cultures” as the 2017 motto suggests.
The Pafos programme deals with aspects of Cyprus’ cultural heritage and religions, Greek mythology, broader human concerns and Europe’s future. Co-operations with future and past host countries - primarily with twin European Capital of Culture 2017, Aarhus in Denmark – aim at reinforcing Pafos’ place on the European cultural map.
Further information:
Photo: Ancient Pillars near Pafos © Dr. Patrick Patridge
