Big key aims for the record books

A CYPRIOT company has made what it believes is the world’s biggest key and the island is now waiting to see whether the monstrous creation secures a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records, alongside the enormous keyhole that was created in 2004 by the same artist.

The key, which is six metres high and weighs 3.2 tons, was created by sculptor Evagoras Georgiou on behalf of the company Athanasiou Construction and Development with the aim of projecting Cyprus internationally with a work of art.

A grand unveiling was held yesterday to showcase the key and was attended by Interior Minister Neoclis Sylikiotis, who said during the event: “At this moment a common, human creation of everyday use, a timeless invention which is recognised by all cultures, has been transformed into a work of art”.

Presenting his creation, artist Georgiou said that the shape of the key had been inspired by the traditional Cypriot ‘tsakroklidi’. He added that the key had been created on the basis of the Guinness Records specifications and it was one of a kind.

“This key is a contribution by our company to the town of Limassol and the broader public, as it will be stationed permanently in public view, where it will constitute a unique work of art and decoration for the coastal town,” said an announcement issued by the company yesterday.

The opening of the event was hosted by the Mayor of Yermasoyia, Panicos Louroutsiatis, in front of the massive keyhole created by Georgiou, which in 2004 was entered into the Guinness Book of Records.

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.