The Sotiras Municipal District of the Municipality of Ayia Napa entered a Christmas atmosphere on the evening of Sunday, December 14, 2025, with the lighting ceremony of the Christmas tree and festive decorations that took place in the Square of the Holy Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior, officially marking the start of the festive events in the Sotiras Municipal District.
The lighting ceremony was carried out by the Mayor of Ayia Napa, Mr. Christos Zannetou, and the Deputy Mayor of the Sotira Municipal District, Mr. Antonis Koumis, in the presence of official representatives of local bodies and a crowd of citizens, to the sounds of the band of the Sotira Catechetical Synagogues, Flagbearers of Christ, creating a warm festive atmosphere.
In his brief greeting, the Mayor of Ayia Napa, Mr. Christos Zannetou, thanked all the organized ensembles, artistic groups and everyone who contributed to the organization and successful outcome of the event and wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, with Health, Personal and Family Happiness and Prosperity, expressing the hope that 2026 will be a year of reunification of our homeland.
Subsequently, the Deputy Mayor of the Sotiras Municipal District, Mr. Antonis Koumis, stated that the Christmas Lighting is a special moment of joy, unity and hope every year, underlining that the Christmas decoration of the Sotiras Municipal District is constantly improving and enriching thanks to the dedication, creativity and professionalism of all those who work with passion to create this unique festive atmosphere.
At the same time, he informed the public about the rich festive program that follows, with the most important events being the inauguration of the new Sotiras Park on December 21, 2025, at 3:00 p.m., by the Minister of the Interior, Mr. Konstantinos Ioannou, and the Mayor of Ayia Napa, Mr. Christos Zannetou, the Christmas Celebration of the Sotiras Catechetical Synagogues on December 23, at the Sotiras Municipal Theater, the Christmas action of the Sotiras Youth Center with Santa Claus on December 28, who will visit the neighborhoods distributing gifts to children, as well as the established New Year's Party of the Sotiras Youth Center on January 2, 2026.
Mr. Koumis expressed warm thanks to the civil servants and workers of the Sotira Municipal District, as well as to all the organized groups, clubs, schools, dance and music groups that actively contributed to the organization and success of the event.
Immediately after the lighting of the Christmas tree, a rich program followed with dance and musical performances from the Zumba Kids section of the Sotiras Youth Center, the Elite School of Dance, the Sotiras Municipal Adult Dance Club, the Florence Savva Conservatory of Classical and Contemporary Studies, the Vasilis Efstathiou and Maria Kofos Music School, as well as the Sotiras Municipal Choir of the Municipality of Ayia Napa, which delighted young and old.
Throughout the event, young and old had the opportunity to enjoy the mascots, the stilt walker, games and creative activities, as well as the presence of Santa Claus, who distributed gifts to the children, spreading smiles and Christmas magic.
At the same time, the Organized Ensembles of Sotira prepared and offered for sale food, sweets, drinks and traditional dishes, all made with love and care, contributing to the festive atmosphere of the evening.
