PAPHOS is putting Cyprus on the European cultural map, says Paphos Mayor Phidias Sarikas.
The Paphos Aphrodite Festival (PAF) is this September presenting Giacomo Puccini’s opera Tosca, performed by Arena di Verona, as part of their annual festivities, announced PAF president, Sarikas.
The Arena di Verona Foundation will be making its first visit to the eastern Mediterranean to perform in the open air in front of the Mediaeval Castle at the old harbour in Paphos.
Arena di Verona, whose home theatre is the Roman amphitheatre in Verona, is one of the most famous producers of open air opera worldwide. The troupe, known for the excellent quality of their performances and enthusiasm they generate, will perform for three nights between 5 and 7 September 2003.
Sarikas told reporters that this year’s production was the fifth in a series of festivals, and highlighted his aim to put Cyprus on the European cultural map, making it an international centre of high-quality cultural events. The Mediaeval Castle at Paphos port is not just an enchanting location, but has become a recognized arts venue, hosting last year’s production of Puccini’s Turandot.
A total of 7,500 tickets will be on sale, said Sarikas, adding they expected a lot of interest from overseas with tourists arriving on chartered flights from neighbouring countries to watch the opera.
Around 220 cast and crew from the Arena di Verona will arrive on the island for the £630,000 production.
Italy’s Ambassador to Cyprus, Gherardo La Fransesca, whose country assumed the European Union presidency on Tuesday, told the Cyprus News Agency that culture was one of the most important elements “in our lives because it is linked with our roots, which are common for all countries of the Mediterranean”.
Education Minister Pefkios Georgiades said that in the last five years the festival had become an “active cultural organisation with significant contribution to the town and Cyprus’ cultural development in general”.
Meanwhile, Larnaca Mayor, Andreas Moses, also promised a rich cultural summer for the Larnaca Festival 2003, starting with London’s West End musical Fame on July 4-5 at the Patticheon Theatre. The festival will also be showcasing a Maria Callas tribute with a 131-member opera group from Moscow, including the participation of Marios Frankoudis and Deborah Myers. Other events include Moscow ballets, theatrical productions, Greek artists, poetry nights and the screening of two films by Andreas Panzis.
