The Municipality of Ypsonas has officially entered the contest to claim the title of European Capital of Culture 2030, along with the 8 communities that will constitute the new Municipality of Kourion, under the coordination of the company Kourion 2030 “European Capital of Culture – Candidate City.”
The framework of the Cultural Development Strategy “Kourion 2030” was presented on Tuesday (24/4) at the conference hall of the Ypsonas Municipality by the President of the Organization and entrepreneur, Pavlos Paradeisiotis, the Project Leader Michalis Karakatsanis, and the project coordinator, Nikolas Vryonis.
The mission of the organization “Kourion 2030,” as stated, is the revitalization of the communities in the Kourion area through collaborations and investments focusing on culture, aiming to improve the well-being and daily lives of the residents. Pavlos Paradeisiotis, President of Kourion 2030, mentioned that the goal is not just to secure the title of European Capital of Culture 2030, but “what we will achieve by 2030 and beyond, so that we can say and be proud that there is a truly organized, effective, and strategically continuous culture in our region.”
The aim of “Kourion 2030” is to establish a common identity through culture, emphasized by the Cultural Officer of the Municipality of Ypsonas and project coordinator, Nikolas Vryonis.
Project leader Michalis Karakatsanis stated that in the upcoming period, an open event for all communities is planned to present the plan and invite citizens interested in participating in the whole effort.
He supported that the vision of the Municipality of Kourion, the second largest municipality in Cyprus, is to become a cohesive space where culture, as a source of symbolic and social capital, is understood, appreciated, and enhanced with resources, aiming to improve the opportunities and prospects for everyone living, working, and visiting.
Regarding the ongoing processes, he mentioned that a “cultural mapping” of all points and elements directly or indirectly related to culture has begun, followed by a second phase of mapping the “active potential” of the area, as well as collecting stories and folklore of the region.
In the entire strategic planning effort of the “Kourion 2030” proposal, collaborations have already been established with organizations and entities such as the University of Limassol and Open Lab Athens.
The proposal is expected to be presented to the new municipal council for approval, and the candidacy dossier will be submitted in early December, along with all the candidate cities.
