Filenews 9 July 2022 - by Natasha Christoforou
The nomination of the European Capital of Culture for 2030, wants to be received by Larnaca, which aspires to become the second city in Cyprus, after Paphos in 2017, to "catch" this ambitious goal.
The processes are feverish by the Municipality of Larnaca and other people of the city, who want, at all costs, the valuable title, which will bring huge cultural, tourist and economic benefits to the city. The intention is to start drawing up the strategic plan of the candidacy immediately, which will be submitted to the relevant EU bodies in 2024, with the final selection being made a year later.
As the mayor of Larnaca, Andreas Vyras, told "F", the Municipal Council decided to finance all the procedures required for the application to be submitted since the profit for the city, "whether or not the title is attributed to it, will be huge".
The non-profit company, "European Capital of Culture Organization, Larnaca 2030", is already under establishment, which will "run" the procedures. President of the Company's Board of Directors, the entrepreneur and President of the Larnaca Tourism Development Company (ETAP), Dinos Lefkaritis, was appointed and the mayor of Larnaca, Andreas Vyras, was appointed vice-president. In addition, nine other personalities were selected for the Board of Directors, who have a wealth of work to show.
"A great effort will be made. We made a very ambitious Board of Directors, with the help of the Municipality of Larnaca. I was asked to take on the role of its president and I will take it on, because I love Larnaca. I believe that we have all the backgrounds to succeed", Dinos Lefkaritis told "F", listing the benefits that the city will have. "There will be many benefits since Larnaca will now be placed on a different map, its great cultural heritage will be highlighted and its name will be heard all over the world and especially in Europe. So we are looking forward to tourism, but also to the various funds we will be able to raise through the EU, to make our city even more beautiful."
As he noted, through the institution many infrastructures will be created, which will remain in the city. He indicated that in order for Larnaka to win the nomination of the European Capital of Culture, Special Importance will be given to the promotion of its advantages. "It is very important to highlight the history of Larnaka, which is one of the oldest cities in the world. The advantages that the city has are several, which we will advertise and highlight".
At this stage, he is looking to fill the position of general manager of the company, a "key" person, with rich experience in similar issues, in order to be able through his knowledge and connections, to promote his vision "Larnaca 2030". The company has in its hands the CVs of many people who were interested in the position, with the final choice to be taken by the end of the summer. Subsequently, a team will be formed, which will undertake the preparation of the file with the actions and infrastructure that will be created.
BY IDENTITY
The image of Larnaka is changing drastically
If Larnaca manages to get the nomination of The European Capital of Culture, the changes in the city will be huge since the infrastructure that will be created will come to be added to the major projects that are planned.
By then, the first phase of the unified development of the port and the marina, which is the largest investment in Cyprus, will have been completed, while the picture on the Larnaca - Dhekelia road will have changed drastically, where, after the movement of the oil tanks, investments of hundreds of millions are planned.
N.H.
