The 65th Limassol Wine Festival opened on Saturday evening at the city's Municipal Garden and drew large crowds on its first night. The festival runs until 4 October. Minister of Transport, Communications and Works Evi Tsolaki officially opened the event beneath the Vrakas, the seven-metre figure of a man in traditional folk costume that has become the festival's signature. The figure takes its name from the vraka, the baggy breeches of traditional Cypriot dress. The House President, ambassadors, MPs and representatives of local authorities attended the ceremony.
In her address, Tsolaki said 65 years had passed since the late Kleanthis Christoforou proposed holding a festival dedicated to wine. She said the wineries ETKO, LOEL, KEO and SODAP had embraced the initiative at the time and set up their own pavilions. "Today we are here with more than 100 smaller wineries, and this with the support we have had as a member of the EU," she said. Tsolaki said the aim was to support producers and strengthen the primary sector, local communities and the countryside, adding that "this is where the state and the Nikos Christodoulides government come in to contribute." She noted that a scheme to replant vineyards has been launched following last year's destructive wildfires, which broke out on 23 July in the community of Mallia, and that the new plantings will also serve as firebreaks. Turning to her own ministry, Tsolaki said it was helping to secure "safe and short road networks, which will connect communities with urban centres and communities with one another." She closed by thanking the mayor, Limassol's municipal council, the municipality's cultural services and everyone who worked on this year's festival.
Nine days of culture and tradition
Limassol Mayor Yiannis Armeftis described the Wine Festival as one of the most historic and popular institutions in Cyprus. "It remains full of life and positive energy, and has for decades been a point of reference for authentic Cypriot hospitality and Limassol kefi," he said. Kefi is the Greek word for high spirits and joie de vivre. "From today and for nine full days, until 4 October, the public garden becomes a hive of culture, tradition and entertainment," Armeftis added. He said the festival was above all a celebration for residents and visitors, "a festival that has for decades brought together people of all ages and keeps alive an important tradition of Limassol and all of Cyprus." He invited visitors to taste local wines and enjoy themselves.
The programme includes 14 major concerts, theatre performances, folk dance groups and dedicated activities for children, along with art and photography events. The opening ceremony featured traditional and popular music performed by Vasiliki Chatziadamou, Sotos Gonios and the Limassol Municipal Philharmonic.
Source: CNA
