Filenews 2 December 2023 - by Nicoletta Kouroushi
New life has begun to take place in the degraded area between the two ports in Limassol, in Tsiflikoudia, with developments leading to the revival of the old industrial listed buildings of the city.
This area of Limassol hosts the rich industrial heritage of the city, which includes buildings of historical importance, which have been declared preservable and which for many years presented a picture of desolation.
Through the organization of cultural, artistic, recreational and other activities, these buildings have begun to assume a different character from the one they had when they first opened, while maintaining their special architectural, urban planning and technological value.
Specifically, in the area of the old industrial zone there are, among others, the buildings of the wine industries KEO, LOEL, SODAP, ETKO and Pantelides, the Limassol pottery, the Lanitis bottling plant and the Cooperative Association of Carob Distribution, which were a lever of economic development for Cyprus in the 20th century.
As reported to us by the Limassol Municipality, this area has been included in the City Centre Plan and includes urban planning arrangements, including the increase of the projected height and the reduction of the coverage of buildings, while several of these properties have passed in recent years into the hands of foreign investors, such as the facilities of SODAP, acquired by Russian investors.
These developments, which will cover the non-listed buildings of these complexes, are considered -at least according to the data so far- as a positive development for the exploitation of the industrial heritage of Limassol, since, as reported to us by the Limassol Municipality, investors have expressed an intention to highlight the listed buildings of these pieces of land in areas with cultural and public benefit character, Such as through the creation of a sound museum, classical music hall, motor museum, etc.
In addition, according to the Limassol Municipality, some of these complexes – and until they acquire their final character – are used as venues, after obtaining a temporary operating license from the municipality.
Cultural portal: ETKO's site
A typical example of development in the area is ETKO's facilities area, which has been transformed into a cultural portal, in order, as mentioned to us by the organizers, to maintain this cultural – recreational character for the coming years.
As for how the idea came about, according to the organizers, the transformation of abandoned industrial areas into safe spaces, hosting art, music and expressing culture, is a trend internationally.
The development team of artistic events in the ETKO area, in Tsiflikoudia, was inspired by the history of the area, by the old refinery and the winery. As she is experienced in reviving large areas of land, she decided to use it as a cultural gateway.
The project includes the artistic utilization of the space with the least possible intervention, in the context of which landscaping has been done, while it is worth noting that in the process of its completion, the project employed and employs hundreds of employees and invests in its way in the employment and development of local businesses.
The aim, as mentioned to us by the organizers, is to host musical, artistic and other activities, aiming to promote the history of the city and the region, but also to "illuminate" historical aspects of the area, inviting both youth and people of all ages.
The project is improved and adapted to the needs of each event it hosts or organizes, but technically it is almost completed, while it is addressed to all residents and visitors of Limassol. Besides, last September, thousands of people, coming not only from all over Cyprus but also from abroad, visited the venue, on the occasion of the BEONIX Music Festival.
In fact, according to the organizers, the project is addressed to every person, regardless of country and race, who appreciates art and culture, who chooses quality and elegant entertainment, who hides within him values such as multiculturalism, family warmth, friendship and fair play, cooperation and spiritual development and improvement.
So far, several activities have been organized, focusing on family and artistic expression, culminating in the unveiling of the work "Dark Blue" by the well-known Limassol artist, Alexis Vagianos, as part of "The Excluded Form", created by the former refinery of the winery.
The unveiling took place by the Deputy Minister of Culture, Vasiliki Kassianidou, in front of distinguished guests, such as officials from the cultural services of the Limassol Municipality and their director, Natia Anaxagorou, as well as other officials.
Finally, it is noted that in a few weeks and on the occasion of the Christmas holidays, on the weekends of 16-17 and 23-24 December, from 2:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m., ETKO's space will be transformed into a Christmas landscape, ready to welcome young and old in a spectacular environment for the residents of Limassol and all of Cyprus.
As mentioned, it is truly one of the few activities that will combine quality scenery, artistic activities, music, food and drink for all visitors, as well as surprises for the little ones.
