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Paphos harbour was once again transformed into an open stage over the weekend (September 4-6), where an audience of about 6,500 enjoyed three nights of opera in a truly unique environment, with the background sound effects of waves crashing onto the set’s centrepiece, the historic castle.
It was not just Rossini’s ‘Cinderella’ that was in the limelight this year, but a general overhaul of how the ancient Greco-Roman city of Agapinor, home to some of the finest mosaics, the landing place of Saint Paul (also visited by Pope Benedict) and the nearby birthplace and temple of Aphrodite will become European Capital of Culture for 2017, along with Aarhus, Denmark’s second largest city and half its age.
Mayor Phedon Phedonos, who inherited a dilapidated office marred by years of corruption, is trying his best to clean up the town and judging from the growing number of complaints, he must be doing a good job. The grumbling has been coming from those who knowingly have been breaking the law, but hid behind the excuse of “if no one did anything for 40 years, why should we now?”
The question is, “why not?”
First off was the demolition of illegal structures and expansion of businesses where they shouldn’t have. Next on his target list is to try and bring order to the haphazard way with which licenses have been afforded to restaurants and bars. There are a number of commendable establishments, at affordable prices, but they shouldn’t pay for the mistakes of others.
The roads and pavements in some areas are non-existent, for reasons we all know too well about, arising from the recent scandals implicating public officials and sewerage contractors. The occasional sign saying “this road will be ready by XXXX” will go a long way to convince natives and holidaymakers, as well as the tour companies that send them
Whereas Paphos has one of the most efficient and reliable bus networks, it needs to do more for other motorists, more than half of whom are tourists or long-stay visitors.
The government has pledged to support the town when it stages the 2017 cultural festival. But it should not wait that long. President Anastasiades announced funding for a host of infrastructure projects, but the town needs a major cash injection, and fast, as hosting the culture capital is less than a year and half away, which in planning terms is just around the corner.
The European Capital of Culture for 2017 must (and will) succeed as it will be the first time after the 2013 economic crash that Cyprus will show a fresh face, one that will help attract more tourists to the whole of the island and even investors in the longer term.
