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It is with great pleasure that I participate in tonight's event, here in the historic amphitheatre of the Makarios III School for the Blind, inaugurating yet another important chapter in its history: that of its renovation and quality upgrade.
The place where we are tonight, as the oldest modern amphitheatre, has housed countless moments of our country's culture. Created in the 1950s, near the School for the Blind, its operation has made a significant contribution to the cultural life of the capital and the whole of Cyprus.
Thanks to the love for the theatre of the late Nicolas Ierides, the first Director of the School for the Blind, his dedication to culture and his unremitting perseverance, he managed to create and then promote this amphitheatre as a beehive of culture. With the passage of time and through various collaborations and synergies, he managed to transform it into an ideal venue for theatrical performances, concerts, events and many other cultural events.
With a capacity of 1,588 spectators, the amphitheatre has hosted and served the cultural events of Cyprus for decades, being both part of the rich Cypriot heritage and an important source of culture and art for our country.
With a capacity of 1,588 spectators, the amphitheatre has hosted and served the cultural events of Cyprus for decades, being on the one hand part of the rich Cypriot heritage and on the other hand an important source of culture and art for our country.
A milestone on the map of its history is the year 1987, when the Cyprus Theatrical Organisation (THOC), taking over its management, gives a new dynamic to the venue, with a variety of theatrical performances of ancient and contemporary culture, as well as the hosting of important figures of the Greek and international scene.
Tonight, we are here to open a new chapter in the development of the amphitheatre of the School for the Blind. With the completion of its upgrade, which not only involves its reconstruction and aesthetic improvement, a modern environment is being created that will offer the public a clearly enhanced cultural and artistic experience.
Among the objectives of this upgrade is to achieve the maximum possible safety and functionality of the space, for people with visual disabilities, which is fully in line with our obligations as a Society, but also with the State's commitment to enhance opportunities, social inclusion We as the Executive have come to an agreement with the Bank of Cyprus to offer all our young people a culture card, a free amount on the part of the Executive, in order to bring all our young people who are turning 18 years of age closer to the cultural events of our country.
Tonight, it is a special occasion, as today's event of the presentation of the upgraded auditorium is combined with the celebration of 93 years of operation of the School for the Blind.
Before I close, therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to express the State's gratitude to the Board of Directors and Management of the St Barnabas School for the Blind, both for the quality work they have been carrying out for decades and for their unwavering efforts to upgrade this site, which is part of our cultural history. The initiative to upgrade it is an important step towards the preservation and further enhancement of our cultural heritage.
Yesterday, we launched the public dialogue on special education, but we need you alongside us in this effort, fellow travellers with the excellent Minister of Education, so that we can respond because, I firmly believe, it is the obligation of the state to provide equal opportunities for our children.
Yesterday, we launched the public dialogue on special education, but we need you alongside us in this effort, fellow travellers with the excellent Minister of Education, so that we can respond because, I firmly believe, it is the obligation of the state to provide equal opportunities for our children. And in this effort your contribution is of particular importance to us.
I would be remiss if I did not thank personally, and the State itself, the sponsors of the project, OPAP Cyprus, which we find everywhere, the Pancyprian Association for the Welfare of the Blind and of course the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth. I welcome the presence here of the former Minister of Education, my friend Prodromos Prodromos, who during his term of office was given the sponsorship and his own personal contribution is acknowledged.
Your contribution is greatly appreciated and obviously very decisive for the implementation of this project.
Thanks of course also to THOC for its excellent cooperation and dedication. The THOC, in cooperation with the Deputy Ministry of Culture, gives a long-term promise for the effective promotion of culture in our country, which for many years was the poor relation, we had not understood as a State the importance of culture, therefore, your efforts in cooperation with the responsible Deputy Ministry, are crucial for the effective promotion of artistic creations in our country.
Finally, I would like to commend the dedication and work of all those involved in this project, designers and builders. Without the coordination, the pursuit of excellence, this upgrade we all enjoy today would not have been possible.
(PM/NG)
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