The inauguration of the "27th International Book Fair of Cyprus" organized by the Holy Metropolis of Constantia and Famagusta every two years in Paralimni took place in a festive atmosphere, today Sunday, October 2019, 28, on the eve of the National Anniversary of October 5.
This year's exhibition is entitled "Book and Digital Technology". A special and burning issue, since the question arises: if there is a negative impact on the book from Digital Technology, if they can go hand in hand, if digital technology is used properly, because no one can deny that Digital Technology has now entered for well in our lives.
The Exhibition is under the auspices of the two leading institutions of our country, His Beatitude the Archbishop of Cyprus Mr. Chrysostom and His Excellency the President of the Republic of Cyprus Mr. Nikos Anastasiadis. His Beatitude was represented by the Most Reverend Prot. Kyprianos Kountouris, Director of the Theological School of the Church of Cyprus and His Excellency the President of the Republic of Cyprus, the Honorary Secretary of the Council of Ministers and Head of Administration of the Presidency of the Republic.
The inauguration was preceded by a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at the Metropolitan Church of Agios Georgios, headed by the Most Venerable Metropolitan of Constantia and Famagusta, Mr. Vassilios.
At the end of the Divine Liturgy, Panierotatos in his speech referred to the importance and significance of the institution of the "5th International Book Fair of Cyprus", characterizing it as a spiritual and cultural event that strengthens the various academic and other activities in our province, including institution of the Salamis Free University of Famagusta and the biennial organization of the International Scientific Conferences of Cypriot Hagiology. He also spoke about projects that are currently being carried out in our metropolitan area. Finally, she thanked in the person of the delegates present His Excellency the President and His Beatitude, who put under its auspices the whole event as well as all those who helped and contributed to the realization of the Exhibition.
This was followed by the greeting of His Beatitude the Archbishop of Cyprus Mr. Chrysostomou, which was read by his representative, Rev. Fr. Kyprianos Kountouris. His Beatitude congratulated the Metropolitan of Constantia for his remarkable pastoral and social work and the initiatives he undertakes. The general theme of the exhibition, he said, rests on a topical and much-discussed topic in which the older and somewhat romantic may find it difficult to grasp, but if we look around today's society, young and old do not hold books and study but have electronic devices . The Chrysostom of Cyprus, with the sincerity and straightforwardness that distinguishes him, did not fail to mention the national issue, emphasizing the duty of all to continue our militant alliance against the Turkish invader with the irrevocable goal of liberation and return to Famagusta and other our parts.
On behalf of the President of the Republic, the Honorary Secretary of the Council of Ministers Mr. Theodosis Tsiolas addressed a greeting, who expressed his thanks and congratulations to the state and the President himself for this great event. He stressed the importance of this great event as the book is one of the most important factors that helped the evolution of humanity, it is the means for the dissemination of social and philosophical ideas, educates, moves and excites the reader. By encouraging young people to love knowledge and study the good book, we are essentially laying the foundations for the education of a cultured society.
The honorable mayors of Famagusta Mr. Simos Ioannou and Mr. Paralimni Mr. Theodoros Pyrillis also addressed a short greeting through their representatives.
In his greeting to the Mayor of Famagusta, which was read by the municipal councilor of the Municipality of Famagusta, Ms. Toula Iakovou, Mr. Ioannou stressed that technology has influenced human habits in reading, entertainment, study, data retrieval and dissemination. knowledge in general. This opportunity is today an important tool for our young people, who did not have the privilege to be born and live in our occupied cities and villages, through books and digital technology are invited to know the places where their ancestors were born and raised. their.
The Mayor of Paralimni Mr. Theodoros Pyrillis, in his own greeting which was read by the municipal councilor Mr. Andreas Loizou, spoke about the presence of the book in our lives as a social construction that remains a constant value for reading, education, information, entertainment and enjoyment . It is important to focus on the added value of engaging a reader or user in an e-book by seeing it as a quality and immersive evolution of the printed book in terms of aesthetics and learning experience given the democratic choice between the two formats.
After the Divine Liturgy, the clergy and the people marched to the site of the Exhibition for its inauguration. The Divine Liturgy and the Inauguration were attended by, among others, members of the Municipal Council, MPs George Karoullas and Kyriakos Hatzigiannis, former Minister Takis Pelekanos, Lieutenant Colonel Zenios on behalf of the Army and Assistant Police Director Mr. part of the Famagusta Police Directorate, Throne Commissioners, the District Inspector of Secondary General Education Larnaca-Famagusta Mr. Michalis Loizidis and others
The "Cyprus International Book Fair" is now an institution, is an initiative of the Most Venerable Metropolitan of Constantia and Famagusta and is a great cultural and spiritual event for the free region of Famagusta, but also for the whole of Cyprus.
The "1st International Book Fair" was successfully organized in 2010 and was visited by students, teachers, scientists and friends of the book. Since then it was decided to establish the institution of the Exhibition and so every two years it is organized by the Holy Diocese of Constantia. The "2nd Cyprus International Book Fair" took place in late October and early November 2012 and was entitled "Orthodoxy and a United Europe". This exhibition was also a great success and many people visited it, while at the same time various cultural, artistic and spiritual events took place. The "3rd International Book Fair of Cyprus" took place in early November 2014 and had as theme "40 years of occupation. I do not forget "which was given on the occasion of the sad event of the completion of 40 years since the Turkish invasion. The "4th International Book Fair of Cyprus" in October 2014 was entitled: "Culture of Peace", a topic that has been relevant for a long time, which was given on the occasion of the situation that prevails in the Middle East and in our country.
The "5th Cyprus International Book Fair" is expected to have the same success as the previous exhibitions. This Exhibition takes place from Sunday, October 27 until Sunday, November 3, 2019. The opening hours of the Exhibition are: Today Sunday until 1:00 p.m. and from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Tomorrow Monday, October 28 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 pm, from Tuesday to Friday from 8:00 am. until 1:00 p.m. and from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. On weekends the Fair will be open from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. and from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. All events will take place at the Exhibition Center, in the Metropolis Square. At the same time, artistic events, book presentations, digital media and lectures - screenings will be organized.
The Exhibition is attended by publishers from Cyprus and abroad as well as the digital media company MP Ventus. Following a program developed in collaboration with the Inspectors of Primary and Secondary Education and the directors of the schools, students from the province of Famagusta will visit the spaces of the Exhibition where they will have the opportunity to be guided and to watch the short screening of a film related to the topic "Book and Digital technology".