-
.
- Ελληνικά
It is with great pleasure and satisfaction that I accepted the invitation of the Community Council to attend and put under my auspices today's solemn event which is part of the cultural events of the community of Xyliatos.
Xyliatos is a semi-mountainous community endowed by nature with a lush forest environment surrounding it, where wild vegetation and crops alternate harmoniously. On one side, the greenery of pine, thyme and low shrubs, and on the other, vegetable and citrus crops. Together with the dam built in the early 1980s as part of the Pitsilia Rural Development Plan, they are an attraction for many visitors who can enjoy the tranquillity and contact with nature offered by the area.
Dear all,
The cultural heritage of a place is a priceless value that must be preserved, enriched, and transmitted not only to foreign visitors, but above all, to future generations of our land. Our cultural heritage is a source of social wealth and spiritual strength, and is the basis for the current development of our country. The creation of the Xyliatou Agricultural Heritage Museum, co-funded by the European Rural Development Fund under the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 and 2014-2020, the Republic of Cyprus and the Xyliatou Community Council, highlights the rich folk and agricultural tradition of the community and the region and is a jewel for your community. It contributes to the upgrading of the quality of life of the residents, the diversification of the rural economy, the training of young people, their acquaintance with the cultural and economic tradition of the place. It is another element that confirms the cultural level of the community.
A special place among the gifts that nature has given to Xyliatos is the rare geological formation of "Ochtipetra" or "Stitarotsa", which is a rocky area in the east of the community and can be seen by walking along the nature trail with a beautiful unobstructed view of the entire village.
A special place among the gifts that nature has given to Xyliatos is the rare geological formation of "Ochtipetra" or "Stitarotsa", which is a rocky area in the east of the community and can be seen by walking along the nature trail with a beautiful unobstructed view of the entire village.
The old, high bridge of Xyliatos, part of an older road near the central square of the village, built in the 1930s-1940s and restored, as it is today, during the period 2014-2015, with funding from the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013, in the past it served the residents of Xyliatos and other adjacent forest communities in their activities, giving access to the heart of the forest, while at the same time it served to extinguish fires, trade in timber and firewood and transport forest products, which were exported from the area and transported to other areas of Cyprus.
The Memi Mine for the extraction of iron pyrite ore and the Alestos Mine for the extraction of copper prove the mineral wealth of the area and the earlier employment of the inhabitants.
Friends,
Part of our tradition is man's need for faith in the Divine. The walled church of St. Mamas, the patron saint of your village in the center of the old core of the community, whose memory is celebrated tomorrow, is an integral part of our religious and cultural heritage. It is believed that St. Mamas, who is venerated by the inhabitants of your Community, practiced his faith in the area.
The creation of the Sports Association "Agios Mamas Xyliatos" with the aim of keeping young people in the community by offering them a healthy involvement in sports, and the Agios Mamas Cultural Club with the aim of preserving the traditional culture of the place confirm the will of the residents to remain active in the beautiful community of Xyliatos.
At the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment we are well aware of the difficulties of life in the countryside. We are also aware of the strengths and the need to preserve the traditional character and cultural identity of the Cypriot countryside, which are attractions for visitors and add value to the quality of life of local people. For this reason, therefore, our Ministry remains a long-standing supporter of every effort by residents, organised associations and other bodies to address the problems facing our rural areas. It is also a fact that agriculture is an important productive sector of our economy, with the potential to contribute to the development and prosperity of the inhabitants of rural areas, while at the same time strengthening the socio-economic fabric and the country's food supply. Equally important is the link between the agricultural sector and other productive sectors such as transport, manufacturing, tourism and catering.
It is therefore no coincidence that the Common Agricultural Policy at European level is perhaps the most comprehensive and integrated common policy over time. Recognising the multifunctionality of the countryside, a large part of the European Union's total budget, up to 40%, is allocated to its support and development. Within the framework of the Common Agricultural Policy, the Strategic Plan of the Common Agricultural Policy of Cyprus has been adopted and has already been activated, which provides for funding in excess of 450 million for rural development. Through the interventions of the Strategic Plan we actively, directly and effectively support the competitiveness of the products produced, strengthen the position of the producer in the marketing chain of agricultural products, aiming to improve the quality of life of the inhabitants of rural areas, contribute to mitigate the effects of climate change, support innovation in the agricultural sector and generally the rural development of the country.
Examples of the initiative of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Every initiative to highlight and exploit them finds our Ministry as a reliable supporter.
In conclusion, I would like to thank the organizers of today's event for the initiative and organization, the Xyliatos Community Council for the invitation and support, as well as all of you who, with your presence, give continuity and soul to the festive event.
In conclusion, I would like to thank the organizers of today's event for the initiative and organization, the Xyliatos Community Council for the invitation and support, as well as all of you who, with your presence, give continuity and soul to the festive event.
I take this opportunity to announce the sponsorship of 1000 euros for the purpose of supporting the event.
I wish everyone a lot of fun.
(BG)
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
Source
