The artwork "EVDOKIA", a sculpture of a whale made by students of Paralimni High School for the "Keep our Sand and Sea Plastic Free" campaign, was placed on Friday, July 24, 2020 on the coastal sidewalk in Ayia Napa.
In his greeting, Mr. Zannettou stated that “the Municipality of Ayia Napa is very sensitive to environmental protection issues and for this purpose plans and implements various actions aimed at zero waste production, improving the energy efficiency of public buildings - referring to the fact that the City Hall has secured certifications for Environmental / Ecological Management Systems - and the enrichment of the greenery of the Municipality with tree planting. He added that "the result of these actions is the award of the Municipality in recent years as the Green City of Cyprus in the Pancyprian Environmental Awards and the inclusion of the Municipality in the Network of Green Cities and Communities of Cyprus of the Cyprus Center for Environmental Research and Education".
He expressed his satisfaction that the Municipality cooperates with the TUI Care Foundation, the Travel Foundation and the Cyprus Association for Sustainable Tourism in the framework of the project "Keep our Sand and Sea Plastic Free" which aims to reduce disposable plastics. He noted that such initiatives contribute in addition to the protection of our seas, to make the wider area of the Province of Famagusta a sustainable tourist destination. He thanked the Organizing Committee of the project for the placement of EVDOKIAS on the coastal front, a project that will contribute to further information and awareness of the public on the issue of marine pollution from plastics.
In his greeting, the President of the Cyprus Association for Sustainable Tourism, Mr. Filippos Drousiotis, stated that "there is a unique opportunity for tourism companies and destinations to go ahead and lead the global effort to tackle plastic pollution and the project" Keep our Sand and Sea Plastic Free ”is here to work with the tourism industry of the Province of Famagusta and to help reduce disposable plastic. "Plastic pollution is one of the biggest environmental challenges of our time and tourism can play an important role in solving the problem."
Today, he said “in the post-COVID-19 This time, more than ever, the importance to be given to the implementation of sustainable tourism is emphasized. "Sustainable tourism development, which equally supports the pillars of the economy, society and the environment, is the form that is ideal for the tourist."
The coordinator of the project "Keep our Sand and Sea Plastic Free", Mrs. Panagiota Koutsofta, stated that she is particularly optimistic that the students of Paralimni High School, that is, the next generation that will take over the lines, are already aware of the environmental problems we face and decided to become active citizens and take action. "
In the artistic part of the event, the young musicians Maria Vardaki, Pavlina Andronikou and Rafael Ioannou performed island and folk songs. Finally, the Municipality of Ayia Napa and the Organizing Committee of the project presented to the teacher - Art Mrs. Nicoletta Erotokritou who encouraged the children to create this beautiful work commemorative plaque. Commemorative plaques were also exchanged between the Municipality of Ayia Napa and the Cyprus Association for Sustainable Tourism for mutual support and good cooperation between them.
Famagusta.News