Filenews 20 December 2025 - by Natasha Christoforou
2030 may seem a little distant for some, but for Larnaca, it is a suffocating milestone, after the historic success of the nomination of the European Capital of Culture (ECoC). The Larnaca 2030 organization, the Municipality and the rest of the institutions must immediately roll up their sleeves and work for the implementation of an ambitious program, which, if successful, it will bring cumulative and valuable benefits.
The big challenge is to find funding for the operation of the Larnaca 2030 Organization, which will undertake the implementation of the artistic program, but also for the creation of the necessary infrastructure. The first was priced at €27 million, while the infrastructure, the crown of which will be the grandiose Arts Center, has a preliminary estimate of €40.5 million.
So far, it is certain that €10 million will go into the Larnaca 2030 coffers, which are the state sponsorship, and €1.5 million from the Melina Mercouri Prize, which is given to the ECoC. From then on, the rest of the money will come from, as stated in the file of Larnaca's candidacy, from the Municipality, the Larnaca District Self-Government Organization and the cooperating Municipalities of the province, European programs and sponsorships.
The biggest challenge, however, is the financing of infrastructure, with the burden falling on the Municipality of Larnaca, which will request state aid and draw funds from European Funds. The projects that are expected to be carried out are as follows:
Arts Centers worth €30 million.
It is an emblematic project, which bears the signature of one of the world's largest architectural firms, Foster + Partners, who also designed Larnaca-land of tomorrow. The Art Center will be built on the beach, in an area where oil facilities were removed (next to the American university) and its design alone cost €1.5 million, an amount that was covered by private resources. It is noted that the land of 4,000 sq.m., which was granted as compensation by the Petrolina Group, is also of great value.
"We are in the process of submitting to secure a permit," the mayor of Larnaca told "F", who noted that at the beginning of January there will be a broad meeting with the competent services, in order to determine the timetables. Asked to indicate where the financing of the project, which was estimated at €30 million, will come from, he replied that this will be achieved by European funds and offsets by the development of the region.
The Arts Center will include two spaces for performing arts. The main stage will have a capacity of about 1000 spectators, while there will be a second stage with 150 seats. In addition, two exhibition spaces will be created, while the space will also house the Design Center, which aspires to define the future of the city's creative thinking, marrying traditional techniques with modern design. A special place will also be held by the Museum of People, which was designed by the director of the Larnaca Archives – Phoebus Stavrides, Dr. Iosif Hadjikyriakos.
''Such infrastructure does not exist in Cyprus, not even in Greece. It is an investment in the future of the country. It is an infrastructure through which we will attempt to make Larnaca and Cyprus as a whole a point of reference on the international map. A serious investment has already been made and it is entirely possible to finish it on time, but there must be the appropriate support from the Government as well", the artistic director of Larnaca 2030, Kelly Diapouli, told our newspaper.
It is noted that the file also provides for a plan B in case the Arts Center is not ready in 2030. This plan includes the renovation of the departures hall of the old Larnaca Airport, in order to host events.
REX is being converted into a Cinema Center
The second major project is the renovation of the legendary REX cinema, which will be transformed into a Film Center, with a stage for screenings and facilities for related activities. The project was priced at €4.5 million and is expected to be ready by 2029.
According to information from the Municipality of Larnaca, a survey of the site has already been made and the terms for the bids for the restoration study of the building will be prepared. The goal is to announce the bids for a designer by the first quarter of 2026 and within the next year to start construction work.
Reconstruction of the Skala Theater and renovation of the Municipal Theater
The process for the reconstruction of the Scala Theater, which will host events in 2030, is also at an advanced stage, while there is also interest from THOC to become the basis of the Drama School it is planning in Larnaca. The cost of the project, which is expected to be completed in 2029, will amount to €3.5 million. The study for the building has been completed and at the beginning of 2026, according to information from the Municipality of Larnaca, the procedures for securing a planning and building permit are expected to be initiated.
Regarding the renovation of the Larnaca Municipal Theater, Giorgos Lykourgos, it was estimated at €2.5 million. and within 2026 the bids for a designer will be announced.
Asked to mention whether other projects related to the European Capital of Culture will emerge, the mayor of Larnaca replied that this will depend on the funding that will be secured. "In the next period, the funding will be clarified and the projects will be determined," he noted.
The benefits are enormous
The benefits mainly for the city of Larnaca, but also for the cooperating Municipalities of the province, will be very great and will become more visible as we approach 2030 and especially in that year, when international events will be held for a whole year. In Europe there are many examples of cities that were reborn through the process of the European Capital of Culture.
"The Capital of Culture is the engine that will change the physiognomy of the city. The post-ECOC city will have a specific identity, that of a cultural centre of international standards. In addition to the benefits for the local cultural scene, Larnaca will be transformed into a cultural destination as Glasgow and Bilbao did for example after the Capital of Culture", explains the director of Larnaca 2030, indicating that significant economic benefits will also arise. "Although this changes from city to city, the return recorded is that for every euro that a city spends, it will receive back 8 to 10 euros. In the Capital of Culture, everyone has to win and that is why all the forces of the city and the province have united", added Ms. Diapouli.
