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Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a great pleasure to be here today, at the inauguration of the historical folklore archive in the Municipality of Aradippou. The preserved building of the Orthodox Christian Brotherhood (O.H.A.) in Apostle Loukas Square, which has been restored, is being transformed into a historical/folklore archive of Aradippou Municipality, forming the basis for the creation of an active "file" of history and culture.
It is a fact that archives are invaluable tools for recording the identity of a place, but also a link of unity for its own citizens. The archive that was 'left', unused and scattered, now finds 'shelter', with the prospect of soon being available to the public as a source of knowledge about the course of local society.
That is why I would like to express my congratulations to the Mayor and the members of the Aradippou Municipal Council for their decision to maintain and restore this listed building, but also to turn it into a historical/folklore archive of the Municipality. This building, apart from being an archive, will also serve as a reference point for the organization of events.
Thanks are due, of course, to all the staff of the Municipality, but also to the architectural office "Sotiris Agapiou" for the donation of the design, as well as to the company that undertook the restoration of the project as the contractor of the tender.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Such initiatives for the benefit of the local community, which promote the creation of opportunities for a richer historical and cultural environment, deserve our appreciation. It is through such actions that significant value is added to the goals of development and progress for the local community.
The new legislation that will govern the operation of municipalities, from 1 July 2024, clearly places among the responsibilities of municipalities the implementation of policies for the promotion and protection of local culture, the development of cultural tourism, the promotion of cultural goods and contemporary cultural works produced locally, as well as the study or implementation of cultural programmes.
July 2024 is the milestone for the new order in Local Authorities, from which citizens will enjoy benefits and services in a matrix of development and progress. The establishment of new economically viable municipalities, now with greater autonomy from the central state, will be the essence of the Local Government reform.
As you know, the Municipality of Aradippou is joining the neighbouring communities of Kelli and Trullo, gaining the momentum needed to provide even more improved, quality and upgraded services to its citizens. In the context of this transitional period for the reform of the Local Government, with the support and contribution of all stakeholders, we aim to achieve the objectives set and their successful completion within the set timeframes.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The first step has been taken to "house" the archive of the Municipality of Aradippou, the valuable source of information and memory that reflects the evolution of local life.
The first step has been taken to "house" the archive of the Municipality of Aradippou, the valuable source of information and memory that captures the evolution of local life. I am confident that the Municipality will not become complacent and will continue its efforts to find additional archival material that records the course of the place, through generations, and make it available through technological methods and digitization to the citizens.
In closing, let me thank the Mayor - my friend Evangelos Evangelides - and the City Council for the invitation to inaugurate this project, which is a jewel and a beehive of culture, of historical value, in the urban core of the Municipality of Aradippou. To offer - once again - my congratulations for all the progress and development initiatives undertaken for the benefit of the local community.
Thank you.
(EF/IS)
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