With a perfect and brilliant ceremony, the 31st World Art Triennial “Ayia Napa 2025”, with the theme “History, Christianity, Religion”, was inaugurated on the evening of Saturday, May 1, 2025, at the Ayia Napa Cultural Center “Georgos Seferis”. The inauguration ceremony and the official start of the event were declared by the Mayor of Ayia Napa, Mr. Christos Zannetou.
The event hosts 90 distinguished artists from 27 countries, who were selected by an International Jury from among 260 nominations. The exhibitions take place in the city’s main cultural venues: the “George Seferis” Cultural Center and the THALASSA Municipal Museum, and will run until June 30, 2025. The honored person of the evening was the historian and visual artist Panikos Panayi Hatzidakis, the inspirer of the Triennial, to whom the Municipal Council awarded the title of Honorary Citizen of Ayia Napa.
In his greeting, the Mayor of Ayia Napa, Mr. Christos Zannetou, emphasized that "the Triennial is not just an important artistic event but a modern vision of cultural coexistence, an institution of creative peace that strengthens the role of Ayia Napa as a cultural and tourist hub of the Mediterranean. Through the strategic utilization of local government reforms and the upgrading of infrastructure, we are laying the foundations for a stable, international cultural framework."
For his part, the President of the World Art Triennial “Ayia Napa 2025”, Mr. Panikos Panagis Hatzidakis expressed his special emotion for the success of the event as well as his warm thanks to the Municipality of Ayia Napa and especially to the Mayor Mr. Christos Zannetou Pieri who embraced the idea of the Triennial from the very beginning. “His trust and unwavering support”, he added, “were decisive for the implementation of this great event”.
He also thanked all the Municipality staff, who contributed with professionalism and enthusiasm to the realization of the project. He expressed a big thank you and well done to the artists who participated, who trusted the organizing committee and were awarded. "Their presence and creative contribution, he said, "gave soul and content to the Triennale."
The World Art Triennial "Ayia Napa 2025" noted "it is a vision that has become a reality and we hope it will form the basis for an institution of international renown, focusing on people, art and values."
In her greeting, the President of the Group for UNESCO of Arts, Letters and Sciences of Greece, Ms. Nina Diakovasili, stated with emotion that "this moment in which the ceremony is being held is blessed. The space, the spirit, the art, everything coexists under the gaze of the Cross facing us. I want to warmly congratulate Mr. Hatzidakis who, with this organization, awakens our spirit and soul in an era when our society is dominated by materialism and livelihood uncertainty. You and your collaborators are worthy of congratulations. The organization is impeccable and the result is excellent."
The President of the Triennial Jury, internationally renowned art historian Ms. Andrea Stanic, stated that it is a great honor and blessing for her to be the President of this first World Triennial of Christian Art in Ayia Napa. She expressed her warm thanks for the impeccable organization, especially to the President Mr. Panikos Panayi Hatzidakis and the Mayor Mr. Christos Zannetou, and congratulated all the participating artists. “Culture and art,” she pointed out, “unite people and nations.”
Finally, honoring visual creation in all its forms – from painting and iconography to sculpture, ceramics and multimedia, distinctions and honorary awards such as Premium Napa Awards, Awards of Excellence, Awards of Honor, Artists of Honor and Personalities Culture Awards were awarded to artists and personalities who have substantially contributed to the promotion of art and culture both in their homeland and internationally.
