Each year it gets bigger and better. MARIA SOCRATOUS visits the State Fair and there’s still time to get there if you haven’t so far
IT’S THAT time of the year again: the International State Fair. At first glance, you could be forgiven for thinking nothing has changed since last year. More of the same, stalls of candy floss and all sorts of other children’s toys cluttering the road sides.
Unless you want to enjoy a leisurely stroll around the grounds, having the pamphlet of the general layout of the fair is a must. If you are there on a specific mission and with limited time to spend it is essential. For example, if you enter from the north entrance, looking for private pavilion 57 don’t get your hopes high when you see pavilion number 53. For some inexplicable reason 57 is situated next to pavilions number 30 and 61 near the East entrance.
The biggest ‘new’ this year was the participation of the Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Industry with a great display from 55 participants. All 55 of them are housed under one roof, at pavilion number 1, situated at the centre of the fair ground, making it impossible to be missed by strollers entering from either entrance.
At first glance their exhibits were very much like their Greek counterparts, but cheaper. The exhibits ranged from furniture, marble and granite carvings, building materials, PVC door and window systems to general cleaning products. Some beautiful ceramics from the Turkish Cypriot artist Fatma Ozok adorned the entrance to the pavilion. A four-poster canopy bed made out of cast iron attracts the visitor’s attention. The bed head is made out of the most elaborate cast iron design you have ever seen and it even has the phrase “I love you” worked into it. The canopy, cover and drapes are made out of a sweet burgundy colour.
Following the same design, two bedside tables, and a dresser with a heart shaped mirror complete the bedroom furnishings. The price of £3,000 includes all the above and bedspread covers too. “All are handmade and we have had many orders so far,” the owner said.
This year also saw the participation of the bicommunal development programme Madag/COAG – Cyprus Organic Advisory Group. The sight of baskets full of fresh, leafy green vegetables, new potatoes and branches of bananas at the open-air pavilion caught the attention of passers by. The producers were at hand to speak to the visitors but also introduce them to samples of the produce on offer. Organic wine, sultanas, green and black olives, pieces of bread to dip into olive oil were in abundance on the tables. The fragrance of the dry aromatic herbs was tantalising. Dairy local products were cut in cubes for visitors to sample.
For wood lovers, there is the perfect solution for your verandah. Gumnut Furniture Australia uses Merbau or Kwila wood for making outdoor furniture – the same type of wood that is used for building ships.
Owners of wooden garden furniture have a nightmare trying to maintain it in pristine condition and prolong its life span. Olympia Designs however imports a specific type of garden furniture that is not affected by the elements. Coastal conditions are not damaging either. An eye catching table design, due to its sheer size, was on display at the importer’s pavilion. The Winton 208cm diameter table sits ten and has cushioned chairs made out of the same sturdy wood. Another feature is the turntable centrepiece – the type you normally find at Chinese restaurants – that can be attached to the existing table. This is definitely not a table to be moved around easily and it needs ample space so there is freedom of movement.
You can still find the resin and aluminium made garden furniture at most furniture shops and specialist garden centres. At Akis Komodromos Ltd I spotted a number of designs of beautiful sunloungers for relaxing by the pool or under the shade of a tree or umbrella. Very elegant designs of Dutch origin with three-year guarantee but with a high price tag ranging from £500 to £800 (reduced prices).
If you are planning on changing your car Renault has an irresistible offer of free petrol for a year with every family car you buy. You better run as the offer expires when the fair closes, with the possibility of a few days’ extension, a company spokesperson said.
If your lounge suite is in desperate need of upholstering, you are in luck. Ink, oil, wine, nail varnish, tar, mustard and ketchup stains are a thing of the past. A new fabric has arrived in Cyprus that is pure magic. Stains disappear by rubbing them off with the touch of a wet cloth. You will find Magical fabric exclusively at Fasouliotis Ideal Home Centre in Nicosia and Limassol (available in different colours).
If you are thinking of renovating your kitchen or you are in the process of finishing building a new house Bienalle Italian kitchens have a 70 per cent discount on all their old exhibits. Obviously the offer includes limited number of designs, colours and dimensions. The shop has a 30 per cent discount on all new products and both offers stand until the end of June.
For TV addicts there is a special offer of £150 by private channel Athena Sat, which includes three months membership, all the gear needed and the installation fee. Most electronics and home appliances shops offer easy payments to the buyer of up to 48 – in some cases interest free – monthly instalments.
For colourful hammocks head straight to Habitat. A discount of 20 per cent is offered on all outdoor furniture and accessories. A rather becoming wooden pool shower stand is on offer too. The offer runs until the end of the month.
l 30th Cyprus International Fair finishes today at the International Fair Grounds, Engomi, Nicosia. Visiting hours: 6pm-11pm. Entrance: Adults £2, children and students £1. www.csfa.org.cy
