This first Pediaios River Festival has arrived! From Tuesday until Sunday, a colourful and participatory series of activities in the Pediaios River and beyond has been planned to celebrate nature and rediscover Cyprus’ longest river.
Organised by the Environment Commissioner and the Cyprus Sustainable Tourism Initiative, the festival seeks to engage the public with the environment and embrace local cultural heritage.
“Environmental awareness, the message of sustainability, and environmental protection are at the heart of 85 diverse activities,” say organisers, “ranging from environmental education to recreational, social and informational events, there’s something for everyone.
“We’ve organised everything with a local touch, ensuring small-scale activities at different points along the river to avoid overcrowding, reduce environmental impact, and highlight the beauty of the river’s route.”
It has been a collaborative effort to bring the festival to life as 11 state services, 14 local authorities and 28 other entities, including NGOs, educational institutions, schools and individuals have teamed up to present a dynamic and fun-filled six-day festival.
Exciting events will take place such as creative art interventions in Ayioi Omologites, clean-up drives along the river, a documentary premier of Stone Upon Stone on Wednesday at Pantheon and the official opening ceremony on Friday in Lakatamia.
Over the weekend, 68 activities will take place across various points along the river, including a beach clean-up at its mouth in Famagusta, street art, tree planting, guided tours, workshops, music performances, hiking, stargazing and more. Many of these activities require registration, so be sure to check the programme.
The festival will culminate with an exhibition and award ceremony in Kasteliotissa Hall celebrating the photography competition that launched at the beginning of the week, along with a musical and poetry performance to wrap up the event.
“Our vision for the Sustainable Pediaios Festival,” conclude organisers, “is to inspire everyday sustainable action and to become a vibrant platform for environmental awareness. We hope this festival evolves into a lasting tradition, fostering a deeper connection between the community, the environment, and local culture.”
1st Sustainable Pediaios River Festival
Environmental festival with free activities for all. October 29 – November 3. Pediaios River, Nicosia and other location. https://www.facebook.com/@EpitroposPerivallontos/
