Brussels, May 17 (CNA) — Pafos was proclaimed today the 2017 Cultural Capital of Europe, during a ceremony at the Council of the European Union, in Brussels. Present during the ceremony were Cyprus Education Minister Kyriacos Kenevezos and Pafos Mayor Savvas Vergas.
The Minister said during his address that the day is historic, since it is the first time a city in Cyprus undertakes the important task to represent Europe’s Cultural Capital.
The city’s Mayor said that Pafos can build a new cultural face for itself, based on the “Open-air Factory” concept, aiming to build bridges of understanding between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, as well as cultural cooperation between Europe and the Middle East.
Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth Androulla Vassiliou said she was moved her birthplace was assuming the European Capital title for 2017.
Two cities, Pafos in southwestern Cyprus and Aarhus in Denmark are designated European Capitals of Culture in 2017