The late artist Stass Paraskos introduced the concept of turning waste into art to focus on humanity’s wastefulness. His masterpiece, ‘The Great Wall of Lempa,’ incorporates various discarded materials such as broken tiles, concrete sculptures, old bottles, and bicycles.
Larnaca 2030 has launched the “Needle” artistic residency program for six emerging artists to create new works inspired by the city’s cultural heritage.
– Upcoming exhibition in Cyprus mountains challenges what is considered pure
– The exhibition will feature 16 artists from all over Cyprus
– The theme of purity was inspired by the curator’s meditation and research on soil in Salamiou and Lemona villages
– The opening event will be held on April 13 at the gallery
– Interactive parallel events are scheduled throughout the exhibition
– A guide in Greek and English will be created for those who feel distant from contemporary art themes
Fact: The original mosque on the site was demolished in 1987 to pave the way for the construction of the current structure.
Fact: Restoration of the Hamidiye mosque in Lefkara has been completed.
– Rainfall in February was only 48% of the average for that time of year, and temperatures were 2.1 degrees Celsius above normal.
– From October 2023 to February 2024, total rainfall was approximately 280.4mm, or 75% of normal.
– During the same period, 20 million cubic metres of rain flowed into reservoirs, which is below desirable levels.
– Reservoirs are at 47% capacity compared to 69% the previous year, containing 138 million cubic metres compared to over 200 million cubic metres going into the summer of 2023.
– The Kouris dam is at 40.8% capacity, Kalavasos at 30.3%, Lefkara at 63%, Asprokremmos at 55.6%, and Evretou at 54.6%.
– Inflow into reservoirs this winter has been low.
– It is unlikely there will need to be water cuts this summer, but there will be limits on the quantity given to agriculture.
– Measures are being promoted to inform farmers about improved irrigation practices and the maximum utilisation of reclaimed water.
– February’s weather included torrential rain, hail, snow in the mountains, and even a tornado, but these did not significantly contribute to reaching normal levels of rainfall for the month.
– Rainfall in Stroumbi in Paphos was 20% of the normal for February, while in Kelokedara it was 122% of the average. In the Larnaca district, rainfall ranged from 56% of normal in Meniko to 114% in Athienou.
– A tornado hit Yermasoyia on February 14, causing significant damage to houses, properties, and the electricity network, resulting in power cuts in several areas of Limassol.
– Nicosia district experienced flooding in the Potami area and damage in Kampos village due to bad weather.
– Torrential rain later in the month caused problems in Astromeritis, Evrycho, Agia Marina Xyliatou in Nicosia, and in Kofinou in Larnaca. The Kilrou dam also overflowed.
– The bad weather affected the entire island from February 13-18, impacting traffic flow on highways.
– Most weather stations recorded their highest maximum temperatures on February 6, 13, 25, and 29, reaching 16C and 17C. Only February 1 and 5 had temperatures below normal.
On 27 October 2023, the European Commission published Regulation 2023/2411, which changes the standards for geographical indications in craft and industrial products. With effect from 16 November 2023, this Regulation offers strong protection in the EU, safeguarding the intellectual property rights of registered geographical indications. The Regulation will enter full force in the EU on … Read more
– Municipalities received €70.9 million in funding from the state last year.
– The reform of Local Government will increase state funding to €92.9 million from July 1st.
– The number of municipalities will be reduced from 30 to 20 due to the reform.
– State funding is expected to increase to €117 million by 2025.
– In the first half of 2024, the 30 municipalities will receive €35.4 million in state funding.
– €8.7 million of the funding is in exchange for the abolition of the professional tax.
– €1.09 million of the funding is in exchange for the Diapylia, which have been abolished for decades.
– From July to December, the 20 reformed municipalities will receive a total of €58.8 million.
– The funding distribution criteria include population, population density, area, and per capita income of the municipality from its residents.
– The Ministry of Interior aims for fiscal balance in the new distribution of state funding based on the needs of each local authority.
– Specific funding allocations include: Nicosia Municipality €9 million, Limassol €8.1 million, Strovolos €4.9 million, Larnaca €4.8 million, Lakatamia €3.1 million, Paphos €2.8 million, Paralimni-Deryneia €2.58 million, Eastern Limassol €2.54 million, Latsia-Yeri €2.26 million, Western Limassol €2.24 million, Ayia Napa €2.1 million, Aradippou Municipality €1.8 million, Southern Nicosia-Idalion €1.8 million, Dromolaxia-Menou €1.6 million, Eastern Paphos €1.4 million, Chrysochous Town €1.24 million, Athienou €1.13 million, Akamas €1.15 million, and Lefkara €1 million.
Cyprus has updated its citizenship requirements, mandating language tests for naturalization. Due to unresolved details about these tests, no new citizenship applications are currently being processed. The law, amended in December, requires applicants to demonstrate knowledge of the Greek language at either the B1 or A2 level, depending on their application status. Additionally, some applicants must show understanding of Cyprus’s political and social reality through a history and culture test. An ad-hoc committee evaluates these tests. Highly skilled foreign workers can obtain citizenship after residing in Cyprus for four to five years, with the requirement of passing a Greek language test at the B1 or A2 level, respectively; no history/culture test is required for them. Implementation delays have caused frustration among potential applicants. The European Blue Card scheme, aimed at attracting highly skilled workers to the EU, has also been approved by the cabinet.