Page 39 - Annual Magazine 2017

PAFOS 2017 | OPEN AIR FACTORY
CULTURAL EXCHANGE The Thematic Lines of Pafos 2017
Pafos has always been at the crossroads of the Eastern Mediterranean.
Its modern multicultural reality and its geographical proximity to the I. MYTH AND RELIGION
Middle East as well as to the European mainland, positions Pafos to act This thematic line refers to Pafos’s cultural heritage, historical
as the ideal link for cultural exchange. background, reflecting and placing prominence to the characteristics
that gave birth to civilization and defined its evolution throughout
The motto for Pafos2017, ‘Linking Continents, Bridging Cultures,’ the course of history. Within this thematic line the projects will
expresses the need for linking and bridging the differences between develop themes on beauty, divinity and mysticism, weaving stories
Pafos’ various groups of citizens: residents, visitors and migrants. and legends that evolved in Pafos then transcended into the European
Moreover, it stresses the importance of uniting the scattered parts of cultural forum.
the city and transforming the entire district of Pafos into a common and
a shared space for all its citizens - symbolically and physically.
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THE LOGO
The Pafos2017 logo was designed to be supports the European
interpreted in many different ways: Capital of Culture as a
To represent the sunlight under which II. WORLD TRAVELLERS
Gold Hospitality Sponsor.
the island prospers and the mosaics for
PAFOS
which Pafos is famous for.
To be an artistic rendition that allegorically
refers to the modern multicultural nature of Pafos.
2017 of both the city and its people. This thematic line refers to the relationships of people over time
To symbolize with shades of orange the energy and the warmth
To represent the spaciousness of the city, while the small
and expresses the interactions and the mutual influences, not only
fragments that surround it represent the different regions, cultures
through conflict and dispute, but also through collaboration, exchange,
and people that will jointly contribute to this effort.
brotherhood and co-existence. Pafos - like the surrounding region - is
To encompass a cultural core, which seeks to express that the
a timeless crossroad of peoples and cultures where anyone may leave a
more energy it acquires, the more it radiates to its surroundings.
unique imprint in a place and time.
III. STAGES OF THE FUTURE
P
This thematic line refers to the present and the future. It presents
the contemporary world with its technological breakthroughs, its
significant problems, its dreams and hopes, and its initiatives and
ideas for change. The common future of the two Cypriot communities
and the development of an intercultural dialogue are key topics.
The European Capital of Culture introduces…
the Open Air Factory For more information, including a full programme
of all the events during Pafos2017, you may visit
www.pafos2017.eu
Story by Rachel Chrysostom © Photo LARKO, Pafos / Constantinos Larkos

Pafos has an abundant historical legacy, as evidenced by its many wonderful PAFOS2017
cultural heritage sites. It is thus no surprise that it was named The European Launched in 2013, Pafos2017 has undertaken the task of implementing
Capital of Culture for 2017, a prestigious title in both Europe and across and managing the European Capital of Culture Project, and will be © Photo LARKO, Pafos / Constantinos Larkos
the world. In 2017, Pafos will use its rich history to create the ‘Open Air organizing 300 events and projects all over the city and region, as well as in
Factory,’ a program based on a thousand years old tradition. other cities of Cyprus. Through cultural events, community involvement
activities, tourist focused projects and city legacy programmes, Pafos2017
THE INSTITUTION – CAPITAL OF CULTURE is set to attract large foreign and local audiences to Pafos to celebrate its
The European Capital of Culture is a title designated by the European distinct cultural character.
Union for a period of one year during which a city is given the opportunity
to promote its European cultural identity. The Project has become a key THE PAFOS2017 CONCEPT: THE OPEN AIR FACTORY
platform for city positioning and a catalyst for economic and cultural The central concept of the Pafos2017 programme was developed
regeneration. This prestigious title has developed a significant audience based on a thousand-year tradition of enacting cultural events in the OPEN AIR CULTURAL PROGRAMME
in both Europe and across the world. open air. Combined with the city’s push towards a more ‘open’ way Pafos2017 will celebrate 360 days and organize 300
of thinking, the ‘Open Air Factory’ was created, aimed at creating cultural events and projects in various places and spaces
THE CITY – THE HERITAGE mass exposure for the Pafos2017 activities as well as a shared space throughout Pafos within the frame of its Thematic
Pafos, the first capital of Cyprus in Hellenistic and Roman times, has open to communication and collaboration, and extending outwards to Lines – Myth and Religion, World Travellers and
abundant historical legacy with many wonderful cultural heritage sites. the district’s municipalities and smaller communities. The concept of Stages of the Future. A number of Pafos2017 official
Among them the remains of Aphrodite’s temple, castles, amphitheatres, the ‘Open Air Factory’ is not just about the openness of space; it is projects are destined to become legacy programmes,
fortresses, the famous Roman period mosaics and the Tombs of the Kings about tolerance, acceptance, encouragement and inclusion of different remaining as part of the cultural scene of Pafos after
situated in the UNESCO listed archaeological sites of Kato Pafos. cultures, ideas and beliefs. the European Capital of Culture year.
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