The closing ceremony of the Traditional Culture Festival "Voices and Memories" took place on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at the Metropolitan Church of Saint George of Paralimni, with a concert by the Famagusta Traditional Music Orchestra.
The Festival was organized by the Municipality of Paralimni - Deryneia in collaboration with the Agios Epiphanios Cultural Academy from April 9 to 30, 2025 and was held under the auspices of the Deputy Ministry of Culture.
The event, which was entitled "...On the porch of St. George" because of the custom of singing the song of St. George on the porch of the church, was attended by the newly established Famagusta Traditional Music Orchestra, the first Orchestra of traditional Cypriot instruments ever created, with thirty members and conductor Michalis Kouloumis.
At the same time, people and organizations who contributed to the organization and success of the Festival were honored.
The first Festival, which was successful in terms of organization, consisted of a series of events aimed at its establishment as well as at the revival of the history and tradition of the Paralimni region and the customs associated with Saint George.
The two unique elements of Paralimni's cultural heritage that are inscribed on the UNESCO National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, the "Paralimnitissa Foni" and the "Panayrin t' Ai Giorkou" were at the center of the series of events, while with them the Easter customs were revived and highlighted through exhibitions and folklore events.
