ANCIENT ODEON, PAPHOS - THEY ASK FOR IT TO BE INTEGRATED INTO THE CULTURAL LIFE OF PAPHOS - Filenews 19/10 by Dora Christodoulou
Slowly and steadily, the Ancient Odeon of Kato Paphos, one of the most important and emblematic points of the city and Cyprus in general, is being downgraded in terms of its active involvement in the cultural life of the place and consequently in terms of the promotion of the archaeological site itself.
This is emphasized by institutions and officials of Paphos, with the protests culminating in this year's summer season during which Paphos was judged to no longer host performances of the International Festival of Ancient Greek Drama or other events of international scope.
After the mass representations and dissatisfaction on this issue, the municipal councilor of Paphos, Agathi Savvidou, took the initiative to the competent state departments and THOC to change the current status of the monument. Speaking to "F", Ms. Savvidou stressed that from a first study of the issue it is clear that the problem is not a matter of planning or availability, but a matter of infrastructure.
He noted, indicatively, that the International Festival of Ancient Greek Drama started in Paphos, on the initiative of the late Nikos Siafkalis, and described as particularly sad the fact that the city that gave birth to this important institution does not host similar major productions today, because the existing infrastructure does not meet modern requirements.
For this reason, I believe that the time has come for all the competent bodies to take the initiative, he pointed out. The Department of Antiquities, the Deputy Ministry of Culture, the Municipality of Paphos and all those involved must sit at the same table and consider ways to upgrade the Ancient Odeon, always with absolute respect for its archaeological character.
At the same time, Agathi Savvidou takes this opportunity to bring back a proposal she had submitted about a year ago, to the plenary session of the Municipal Council, during the debate on the creation of a garden theater in Paphos.
I had suggested Dasoudi Park as the most suitable place, a beautiful natural space, a short distance from the city center, which could host modern cultural events and theatrical productions, offering Paphos an infrastructure worthy of its cultural history and needs, he explains.
Culture must not be limited by lack of infrastructure. On the contrary, these shortcomings should mobilize us, so that we can create the conditions for a Paphos that will always play a leading role in culture, as it deserves, she concluded.
Slowly and steadily, the Ancient Odeon of Kato Paphos, one of the most important and emblematic points of the city and Cyprus in general, is being downgraded in terms of its active involvement in the cultural life of the place and consequently in terms of the promotion of the archaeological site itself.
This is emphasized by institutions and officials of Paphos, with the protests culminating in this year's summer season during which Paphos was judged to no longer host performances of the International Festival of Ancient Greek Drama or other events of international scope.
After the mass representations and dissatisfaction on this issue, the municipal councilor of Paphos, Agathi Savvidou, took the initiative to the competent state departments and THOC to change the current status of the monument. Speaking to "F", Ms. Savvidou stressed that from a first study of the issue it is clear that the problem is not a matter of planning or availability, but a matter of infrastructure.
He noted, indicatively, that the International Festival of Ancient Greek Drama started in Paphos, on the initiative of the late Nikos Siafkalis, and described as particularly sad the fact that the city that gave birth to this important institution does not host similar major productions today, because the existing infrastructure does not meet modern requirements.
For this reason, I believe that the time has come for all the competent bodies to take the initiative, he pointed out. The Department of Antiquities, the Deputy Ministry of Culture, the Municipality of Paphos and all those involved must sit at the same table and consider ways to upgrade the Ancient Odeon, always with absolute respect for its archaeological character.
At the same time, Agathi Savvidou takes this opportunity to bring back a proposal she had submitted about a year ago, to the plenary session of the Municipal Council, during the debate on the creation of a garden theater in Paphos.
I had suggested Dasoudi Park as the most suitable place, a beautiful natural space, a short distance from the city center, which could host modern cultural events and theatrical productions, offering Paphos an infrastructure worthy of its cultural history and needs, he explains.
Culture must not be limited by lack of infrastructure. On the contrary, these shortcomings should mobilize us, so that we can create the conditions for a Paphos that will always play a leading role in culture, as it deserves, she concluded.
