Today we open the doors of the Fikardo community to the festive atmosphere of Christmas. It is with great pleasure that I am here with you to celebrate the opening of this Christmas village in the picturesque community of Fikardo, which undoubtedly manages to take us back in time through an enchanting tour of its beautiful paths.
The Medieval Christmas Village is under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, with the support of the Nicosia Region Tourism Development and Promotion Company (LDPC) of Nicosia, and operates with the cooperation of the six villages of Machairas, Fikardos, Lazania, Kabios, Agios Epiphanios, Farmakas and Gourrio.
The Mahairo villages, therefore, embrace this commendable festive initiative, which for 52 whole days, from 26 November 2022 to 15 January 2023, will dress the village of Fikardo in Christmas costume. In addition to the rich entertainment programme and experiential workshops, the impressive decoration and the medieval wooden houses, this event will bring local and foreign visitors in contact with tradition, local products, handicrafts and delicacies.
Such events in the countryside are of particular importance and value. On the one hand, they highlight, especially through the spirit of the days, the local customs, and preserve unchanged in time the flavours, colours and smells as the authentic elements that bring to life the identity of our country's tradition, while showing us the pure, warm and friendly image of Cyprus. On the other hand, they strengthen the local community, the visitation and activity of our countryside.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The Cypriot countryside and mountainous areas are the core of the preservation of the authenticity of our land.
I would like to take this opportunity to assure you that the government of Nicos Anastasiades attaches great importance and makes every effort to preserve the character of rural communities and their cultural identity, while it has set the bar high on the goal of revitalizing rural areas, creating auspicious conditions that will allow for the prosperity and progress of residents, development through projects and infrastructure, attracting residents, as well as professional activity.
The practical proof of this is the series of measures and incentives that have been taken on the basis of a holistic and horizontal strategic planning to support residents and highlight the comparative advantages of the countryside, in order to achieve efficiency and effectiveness in intervention.
Indicatively, among others.
- Our support also to our local authorities for regeneration, development and improvement of the quality of life of its inhabitants is continuous and increasing, and this is evident through our efforts to multiply the appropriations available in the budget of the Ministry of Interior for construction and development projects in our countryside.
-I could not, of course, fail to mention the generous benefits through housing projects in the mountainous, marginal, disadvantaged areas, and in our rural areas, as well as the provision of allowances. Schemes that we are constantly reviewing and improving in order to increase the pool of beneficiaries and financial benefits, with the beneficiaries, of course, mainly young couples and families wishing to acquire a home in the mountains and the countryside.
- At the same time, the Government supports agriculture and livestock farming, both through the measures of the Rural Development Programme and from national resources, while important road network projects are also being implemented, which improve the connectivity of large urban centres with the countryside.
- We have upgraded and continue to enrich the services provided, with particular emphasis on access to better quality health, education and social care services.
- We have moved towards national and international certification and promotion of traditional products, as well as providing incentives and grants for the creation and/or upgrading of traditional infrastructure and products.
- We have proceeded with grants for small and family businesses, financial support for youth and female entrepreneurship, and training for young, rural women.
- We have proceeded with actions to promote the rich cultural background and the natural beauty of rural resorts, and provided incentives and grants for the diversified promotion of specific forms of tourism.
Dear friends,
These are some of the measures that we have implemented and continue to implement with our primary concern being to comprehensively address the problems and improve the quality of life of the residents.
A prerequisite, however, is for people to embrace and use the measures and incentives in order to achieve the expected benefits for the local society and economy. Benefits which, clearly, will be maximised in the context of the major reform of local government.
Undoubtedly, the creation of provincial clusters creates the conditions for increased administrative, scientific and technical competence in the provision of common services by local authorities, with the ultimate aim of providing all citizens, wherever they live, with quality and upgraded services at the lowest possible cost.
Friends,
In conclusion, I would like to congratulate the President and the Members of the Fikardo Community Council, as well as the Presidents of the Communities of the Maharochoria for this commendable effort which we are launching today by creating a beautiful atmosphere befitting the greatest Feast of Christianity.
At the same time, allow me to congratulate all those who have worked with great zeal and love for this festive village. Your effort to promote and preserve our cultural heritage is an example to be emulated.
In closing, I would like to wish you a happy holiday season with health, love and personal and family happiness.
(EFYs/NG)
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