The 14th Pancyprian Watermelon Festival organized by the Community in collaboration with the Watermelon Producers, the Cultural Council of the Community Council, the Frenaros FC football team, Olympiada Frenaros and Frenaros was completed on Friday 11 July at the Community Stadium of Frenaro.
Camera: Kleanthis Siopachas
The crops and varieties of watermelon, as well as sweets, ice cream and watermelon cocktails were presented in a special exhibition space at the Festival. An exhibition of traditional preparations and other constructions was also presented.
During the program, the winners of the competition for the largest watermelon were awarded by the Minister of Education, Mr. Costas Kadis, while honorary plaques were awarded to Kyriakos Tampoukaris for winning the gold medal in Floorball at the World Olympic Games in Graz, Austria and Olympia. her promotion to the A 'Men's Volleyball Division and the conquest of the Cup.
In his greeting, the Minister of Education, Costas Kadis, congratulated the Community Council of Frenaros and the organized ensembles of the Community that, with the organization of the Festival, contribute, as he said, to the promotion of the agricultural tradition and the popular heritage.
The full greeting of the Minister of Education:
It is with great pleasure that I welcome the 11th Pancyprian Cultural Watermelon Festival organized by the Frenaros Community Council in collaboration with all the organized ensembles of the Community. Guided by the love for the Cypriot nature and its local products, the event is held for another year, promoting the cultivation of watermelon and contributing to its further development.
The Community of Frenarus is a traditionally agricultural area that has made significant progress, both in the agricultural sector and in wider social and public life. Agriculture and animal husbandry have been the predominant occupations of its inhabitants since ancient times. The farmers of the community are one of the most famous watermelon producers in our country.
This year's Festival, which is dedicated to these people, aims to promote the Cypriot tradition and to acquaint visitors with the Cypriot countryside, its products and its inhabitants. The fact that the community of Frenarus is within walking distance of important tourist centers, facilitates the efforts made to highlight the area and its special features.
The public response to this Festival is great and this gives the impetus needed to continue its implementation. The Festival provides an opportunity for young and old to enjoy original delicacies and drinks with watermelon as the main ingredient, to be entertained with traditional dances and music and to take part in pleasant and creative activities. At the same time, the public has the opportunity to get in touch with traditional professions, such as the preparation of traditional red-village halloumi and the construction of a traditional chair. The folklore experiential experience offered by the Festival is important, because it awakens the interest of locals and foreigners in issues related to our cultural heritage and keeps our traditions alive.
In closing, I would like to congratulate the Frenarus Community Council as well as all the organized groups of the community that, with this event, contribute to the promotion of our agricultural tradition and our popular heritage and at the same time to the cultural development of the region. Finally, I congratulate all those who participate in tonight's big celebration, enriching its content and offering the public unique experiences.
SotiraNews
Camera: Kleanthis Siopachas