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It is with great pleasure that I am here with you in the heart of the Municipality of Germasogeia, representing the First Lady, to celebrate the inauguration of the Flower Festival. This celebration, which is being revived as an annual institution with roots that go back to ancient Greece, aims to highlight the treasures of nature and promote the blossoms of our land.
The Flower Festival, a celebration of the rebirth of nature and man, organized with great enthusiasm by the Municipality of Germasogeia, is one of the most important established events in Limassol. This important cultural event invites us to enjoy the unique symphony of colours and aromas, but also to embrace and respect the possibilities with which the Cypriot nature surrounds us.
The Cypriot nature is endowed with a rich flora as it hosts 1650 native species and subspecies of plants, of which 146 are endemic, i.e. found only in Cyprus and nowhere else in the world.
The Cypriot nature is endowed with a rich flora as it hosts 1650 native species and subspecies of plants, of which 146 are endemic, i.e. found only in Cyprus and nowhere else in the world. One of the most notable endemics of our island is the Cyprus cedar (Cedrus brevifolia), which adorns the highest peaks of the Paphos Forest, as well as the European olive tree (Quercus alnifolia) and the Cypriot cyclamen (Cyclamen cyprium), which in 2006, by decision of the Council of Ministers, were declared the national tree and the national plant of Cyprus respectively. Some of the Cypriot plants which are widely used as ornamentals are the endemic zoolagia (Bosea cypria), the chisin (Pistacia lentiscus) and the aromatic oregano (Origanum dubium).
The colourful flowers that adorn the structures and flower arrangements enliven the urban landscape, bringing nature's creativity to the fore. In addition to its aesthetic value, the festival enhances the tourist profile of the region, and through the rich programme of activities, the local community, especially the youth, is invited to get actively and creatively involved.
Dear friends,
Each flower presented here today is a miniature of the planet we have inherited and must take care of. Indeed, at a time when we are experiencing climate change and the environment is under stress, events such as the Flower Show highlight the importance of our nature and the need to promote an environmental culture to protect it. I would like to urge the Municipality of Germasogeia and all citizens to turn the Flower Festival into a celebration of the blossoms of Cypriot nature. The flowers grown in our land, which are resistant to the weather conditions of our island, beautify our land with their scent and their rich colours.
Therefore, as the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment we are working both to safeguard the flower growers and to develop among future and existing generations the love towards our rich natural heritage.
I would like to take this opportunity to mention that the Government, on the basis of the Christodoulides Governance Programme, has as a top priority the support and development of the Primary Sector. As the Ministry of Agriculture, we are implementing, through the Strategic Plan of the Common Agricultural Policy 2023-2027, an agricultural policy that supports flower growers. Through this financial instrument, we also take the environmental aspect of our agricultural sector seriously, aiming to highlight the multidimensional role of the farmer, which is not only limited to the production of quality products, but also includes the protection of the environment.
In conclusion, I would like to congratulate the Municipal Council of Germasogeia, whose commendable actions have turned this celebration into an institution that has been embraced by the public.
In conclusion, I would like to congratulate the Municipal Council of Germasogeia, whose commendable actions have turned this celebration into an institution that has been embraced by the public.
I would like to congratulate the Municipal Council of Germasogeia, whose commendable actions have turned this celebration into an institution that has been embraced by the public. I assure you that our Ministry will continue to stand by, supporting and strengthening the efforts of local authorities working for the promotion, enhancement, but also for the sustainable development and protection of the natural environment of our place.
I wish everyone a lot of fun.
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