It was with great pleasure that I accepted the invitation to attend tonight's music and dance evening, which is organized on the occasion of the 9th Traditional Festival of the Municipality of Sotiras. This is a well-established institution, which has been carried out with great success in recent years by the President and the Members of the Municipal Council of Sotiras in cooperation with a group of renowned artists and the organized bodies of the Municipality.
With the main focus on our folk tradition, but also on contemporary artistic creation, the 9th Traditional Festival of the Municipality of Sotiras includes music and dance performances, as well as interesting exhibitions of gastronomy and Cypriot crafts, which will travel the audience back in time and will enrich the festive program of the event.
Through the actions of this beautiful initiative, the Municipality of Sotiras aspires to improve the level of cultural life, while upgrading the tourist product in the wider region. Despite the unfavourable economic circumstances, the Municipality of Sotiras, together with its collaborating institutions, place the promotion of tradition and the promotion of our culture high on their priorities.
For this reason, it did not want to reduce, neither quantitatively nor qualitatively, the cultural character and the high level of aesthetics of its planned events.
The efforts of the local authorities, however, to upgrade the area in its entirety and the everyday life of the inhabitants, are in any case accompanied by the substantial support of the Government, which always stands by its side.
To confirm the above, I would like to mention the annual state sponsorship received by the Municipality of Sotiras, amounting to 967 thousand euros. Also, by decisions of the Council of Ministers, the Government has granted to the Municipality of Sotiras a total amount of approximately 1.2 million euros for the construction and lighting of the Municipal Stadium of Sotiras. In addition, by decision of the Council of Ministers, a one-time grant of 400 thousand euros was granted to the Municipality of Sotiras for the purpose of improving the road network, which had been affected by the construction of the Sewerage System.
As part of the implementation of the President's public utility project announcements, a Social Services Centre was built in the Municipality, at a cost of €1,730,000.
At the same time, a study for the development of the coastal front of the Municipality of Sotiras was completed, at a cost of €123.500, and the construction of a bypass road in Sotiras, costing €800,000, and the construction of a road near the Second Primary School of Sotiras, costing €500,000.
Taking into account the urgent need for providing career guidance and entrepreneurship counselling services, as well as information on employment, education and training opportunities for the youth of Famagusta District, a Youth Information Centre of the Cyprus Youth Organization of Famagusta District was established in the Municipality of Sotiras, at a cost of €30.000.
Given the fact that the provision of quality services and improvement works becomes a deterrent to the phenomenon of urbanisation, the Government proceeded with the preparation of a study for the redevelopment of the square of the Municipality of Sotiras, as well as a study for the reconstruction of a bicycle path along the road in the coastal area of Agia Thekla, in the Municipality of Sotiras.
Also, the first of the four phases of the project to improve the reliability of the drinking water supply system ("Kokkinokremmos" project) for Paralimni, Agia Napa, Deryneia and Sotera, to meet water supply needs, at a total cost of €23.200.000, with a horizon of 2025, was completed.
It is worth mentioning that, already with the implementation of the first phase of the project, the uninterrupted water supply in the area and water security is ensured.
In the context of the multi-level actions announced by the President of the Republic and which concern the municipality of Sotiras, the improvement of the road Sotiras - Derenia and the replacement of the asbestos water supply pipeline with a corresponding metallic one, costing €15.600,000. [*]The works for storm water drainage outside the boundaries of the urban road project, amounting to €3,450,000. [*]The expropriation for the installation of drains outside the boundaries of the urban road project and the construction of retention ponds, amounting to €654 400.
I find it useful to point out that the Government, operating within the framework of a welfare state, proceeded to complete the 3rd phase of the Land Separation for needy families, at a total cost of 260 thousand euros, while road improvements in existing Sotiras Self-Housing Settlements were completed, at a cost of 110 thousand euros, as well as the Land Separation of Sotiras Self-Housing Settlement, at a total cost of 650 thousand euros.
Friends,
The more general actions and improvement projects, which have been implemented or are underway in the Municipality of Sotiras, undoubtedly contribute to the development of the place, where people and their needs are always at the centre.
Moreover, the promotion of artistic activity and the promotion of culture through the organisation of events such as tonight's is considered equally important. All the more so nowadays, since they enable young and old alike to enjoy quality entertainment, meaningful communication and healthy interaction with friends and acquaintances. Elements which we need to include in our daily lives and which have been so deprived of us by the conditions of the unprecedented pandemic that we and the whole of humanity have experienced.
Tonight's Festival is of particular interest and added value, since great young artists have responded positively and are participating, who, utilizing their talent and their true love for our rich musical heritage, will travel the attendees to every corner of Hellenism, which has indelibly marked its historical path through time. Constantinople, Smyrna, Central Greece, Aegean tradition and Cyprus make up from end to end the most authentic part of our historical identity and our cultural heritage.
As the Government, we welcome and applaud commendable actions such as this one, because they prove in the most obvious way that tradition is the presence of our people through time and ultimately means the choice of the good through the centuries.
As the Government, we welcome and applaud commendable actions such as this one, because they prove in the most obvious way that tradition is the presence of our people through time and ultimately means choosing the good through the centuries. That is why every opportunity to promote it, to protect it, to safeguard it, to preserve it and to integrate it into our everyday life is our duty and obligation.
For this reason, I would like to express my warmest congratulations to all the artists - musicians and singers - who participate, contributing to the success of the event. In particular, I would like to congratulate the renowned and charismatic performer Vasiliki Hadjiadamu, who honours with her participation the programme of the Festival and her place of origin.
Finally, I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart the President and the Members of the Municipal Council of Sotiras and all the organised bodies for the invitation and the hospitality. I congratulate each of you individually for your contribution to the excellent and successful organization of the Festival. Furthermore, I wish to congratulate all of you, who with your presence support an institution that actively contributes to the promotion of the local community and our culture in general.
On the occasion of the 9th Traditional Festival, I wish you all a pleasant and enjoyable musical evening.
Thank you!
(PM/MB/IC)
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