Attention will turn to Pyla on Saturday evening as President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman attend the 6th Bicommunal Peace Festival, marking a rare joint appearance in one of Cyprus' few mixed communities.
The festival will take place at Pyla's futsal ground at 7pm, with organisers expecting around 2,000 visitors. The event returns after a seven-year absence, having last been held in 2019.
Symbol of coexistence
Pyla holds particular symbolic importance as one of the few villages where Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots continue to live side by side.
Speaking to Politis, community leader Simos Mytidis said the festival aims to showcase the village as an example of peaceful coexistence.
“If we can do it in Pyla, why not the rest of the island?” he said.
The festival is organised jointly by the two community authorities with the support of the United Nations and will feature music, traditional dances and cultural activities.
Free event
First held in 2015, the festival's return has generated increased interest, particularly following confirmation that the two leaders would attend together.
Admission will be free for all visitors.
EU-Turkey meeting expected this month
Meanwhile, Christodoulides announced from Brussels that a high-level European Union-Turkey meeting is expected to take place later this month, focusing on efforts to restart talks on the Cyprus issue and potential progress in EU-Turkey relations.
According to the president, the initiative is also being promoted following a request by the UN Secretary-General to explore ways of creating the conditions for a resumption of negotiations.
Christodoulides reiterated that any progress in EU-Turkey relations would require a return to talks within the agreed framework and again called for a more active role for the European Union in the Cyprus issue.
COP31 participation
The president also referred to EU interventions with Ankara regarding the participation of the Republic of Cyprus in COP31, which is due to be held in Antalya.
He said the EU had communicated with the Turkish government on behalf of all 27 member states and had received written responses, adding that Nicosia would monitor whether those assurances are implemented in practice.
