In a ceremony held on Friday, April 25, 2024 in the Municipality of Ayia Napa, the Deputy Minister of Tourism Costas Koumis, the Mayor of Ayia Napa Christos Zannettos and the representative of the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth Andreas Sofoklis awarded the prizes to the students of the third grade of High Schools of the Free Province of Famagusta who distinguished themselves in the 3rd Student Competition "Pausanias the traveler 2024", on the theme "The tourism development of the provinces of Famagusta and Kyrenia from 1960 to 1974" on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion and occupation, which was organized by All-Cypriot Association of Tourism Writers and Journalists in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth and the Deputy Ministry of Tourism.
In his greeting, the Deputy Minister of Tourism characterized the competition as a very important event because it gave the children, the future of this place, the opportunity to connect the present they live in with the glorious past of our homeland with its tragic experiences.
In his own greeting, the Mayor of Ayia Napa said that through this ceremony the effort to preserve and preserve the historical memory and empathy of the young people of our country was rewarded, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion and occupation. "We feel particularly proud," he added, "to have hosted this pioneering competition in our city - the flagship of Cypriot tourism and culture where, in addition to the rapid tourism development that set its course after the Turkish invasion of 1974, the arts, letters and culture".
In her greeting, which was read by Dr. Andreas Sofoklis, the Minister of Education, Sports and Youth Dr. Athina Michailidou said that these works presented by the students in the competition, exceed the level of students of the 3rd Grade of High School, they belong to the high level of professionals and young people ready to take the leadership of businesses and organizations.
It is the level of young people, he added, who not only do not forget but declare their will for the reunification of Cyprus, disproving the theory that our young people are not interested in our enslaved parts. As the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth, he emphasized "we are helping the actions that promote and strengthen the knowledge and will of our children for our occupied territories".
It is noted that the first prize went to Team B of Paralimni High School and Team B of Deryneia-Sotiras "Peace & Freedom" High School, the second prize went to Team A of Kokkinochoria High School Panos Ioannidis and Team A of "Peace & Eleftheria" Gymnasium-Lyceum of Deryneia-Sotiras and the third prize to Team A of the Paralimni High School.
