CYPRUS MAKES ITS CULTURAL MARK IN 2017
Cyprus’s seaside city of Pafos is gearing up to host 300 cultural events over 365 days, as part of a year-long program celebrating the city as Europe’s official Capital of Culture 2017.
January 17thCyprus
Situated on Cyprus’ south-west coast, Paphos is known as one of Europe’s most popular summer holiday hotspots and many will be surprised to hear of the historical treasures this UNESCO World Heritage City holds within its harbour walls. Here, visitors can see ruins of ancient Hellenistic and Roman tombs, fortresses, theatres, and mosaics. Paphos has planned a diverse and exciting series of artistic, musical, dramatic and gastronomic events to be held around the city’s most picturesque locations throughout the year – from open air concerts in the medieval Castle Square, to cinema screenings along the city’s golden sandy beaches, dance recitals on street corners and an outdoor exhibition along the Akamas Peninsula by contemporary artists. As a Gold Hospitality Sponsor of the year’s proceedings, Thanos’ family owned and run hotels are the best places to stay, with the much loved Almyra and Annabelle both located on the Paphos sea-front in prime position for accessing the year’s events which will transform the city in to an ‘open air factory of culture’, as per the official concept of Pafos2017. Drawing on the ways in which discourse can develop outside the walls of established institutions, the events have been planned to transform Paphos’ network of streets and natural surroundings into an outdoor nexus of high culture whilst all three Thanos Hotels have already played a central role in showcasing contemporary Cypriot art thanks to a number of events and exhibitions. Highlights are set to include the art exhibition Planites, exploring themes of immigration and how it has affected Cyprus throughout the years. Starting in the city’s renovated Attikon, and ending at the House of the Former Police Chief, the show will explore travelling figures from Aphrodite to St. Paul to modern refugees and will begin on 28th January 2017. Other highlights include the annual concert of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (May) held amongst the romantic Byzantine ruins of the picturesque Paphos Castle, an installation by Japanese performance artist Chiharu Shiotaat Kato Paphos’ ancient Hellenistic caves from April onwards and an acrobatic dance show performed by French dance troupe Retouramont in suspension above the historic Paphos Castle (23rd June). August will see a dramatic poetry reading by English film actress Charlotte Rampling, set by starlight in the city’s ancient Odeon. Keen to encourage conversations about Cypriot art, Anassa, Almyra and Annabelle have already played a central role in contributing to important cultural events by hosting monthly exhibitions throughout 2017.
HOW: A member of Design Hotels, Almyra offers a laid back and elegant take on Mediterranean luxury with rates starting from €104 per person, per night including breakfast. ‘Grand Dame’ hotel the Annabelle was the first ever five-star hotel to open in Pafos and rates €86 per person, per night (low season), €130 per person per night (high season). Both hotels are in easy reach of Pafos International Airport, which is serviced from the UK by British Airways, Easy Jet, Thomas Cook, Thompson and Jet2.