With dynamics and claims, Ayia Napa claims the title of the Cultural Capital of Europe 2030" stated, among others, in his interview with the newspaper "O Phileleftheros", the Mayor of Ayia Napa, Mr. Christos Zannettou.
In an interview with the Cultural Editor of the newspaper "O Fileleftheros", George Savvinidis, which was published in the Sunday edition of the newspaper, (November 10, 2024) in the insert "Elefthera", the Mayor of Agia Napa, Mr. Christos Zannettou assured that Ayia Napa will vigorously and ambitiously claim the title of European Capital of Culture in 2030.
At the same time, he assessed that this is an opportunity for the entire Free District of Famagusta to enrich its creative footprint and welcomed the fact that there is sympathy and support from the Municipality of Paralimniou-Derynia and from all the Municipal Departments of the two Municipalities, Agia Napa and Paralimniou-Derynia .
He also clarified that Ayia Napa, through the Cultural Capital, does not look forward to rebranding but to the reformation of its character, and in no case added that the increase in tourism or the extension of the tourist season through the Cultural Capital of Europe is not an end in itself, but it is an end in itself, he noted. the substantial improvement of the quality of life of the inhabitants of the area.
Referring to the reasons he believes that the city should become a PPE, he said that Ayia Napa managed to put the whole of Cyprus on the world tourist map after 1974, it is known all over the world and this, he added, strengthens the interconnection of it and Cyprus in general with European countries cities renowned as tourist destinations, while further strengthening the relationship with European cities would further strengthen its profile and identity.
In the event that Ayia Napa is not selected, he said that it is everyone's obligation to support, together with the institution, the city that will be chosen since it will represent the whole of Cyprus. "In the event that we are excluded," he said, we will not be deterred but will continue with the same optimism and vigor on the path to develop and promote the necessary infrastructure, to enrich the cultural activity, to fulfill the strategy contained in our proposal.
To a hypothetical question about how he imagines Ayia Napa in 2031, he replied that he imagines it different, since through the development program and the actions, the upgrading of aesthetics, the upgrading of squares and points of reference, the creation of new points are foreseen. "If we manage to win the title, this success will directly and substantially contribute to an additional upgrade, as we will have the framework and the impetus to implement even more in relation to our strategy" concluded Mr. Zannetto.
Full interview at the link philenews.com/politismos/prosopa/article/1526779
