On Friday evening, the opening ceremony of the 1st Festival of Culture and Folklore took place at the Markideio Theatre, featuring the participation of cities belonging to the Paphos Network of Sister Cities in Greece. According to the Municipality of Paphos, this initiative aims to strengthen ties between different regions of Hellenism, highlight their shared cultural heritage, and provide a new impetus for collaboration between Paphos and its sister cities in Greece.
This year’s event marks the reboot of the Network, as it represents the first major joint action among its members. The program for the inaugural night included traditional music and dances from cultural associations of the participating cities.
The Mayor of Paphos and president of the Network, Phaidonas Phaidonos, noted that Chania has recently joined the network, raising the total number of sister cities in Greece to six. For this year’s festival, delegations have traveled to Paphos from Kalamaria, Chania, and Lamia, while in 2025, Preveza, Corfu, and Mytilene are expected to participate, with the goal of establishing the festival as an annual event every November.
Welcoming the delegations, Mr. Phaidonos emphasized Paphos’s deep historical and cultural connection to Hellenism, noting that the city remains steadfastly oriented towards Greek cultural elements despite the many challenges it has faced throughout the centuries. As he highlighted, Paphos’s relationship with Greek cities is a continuation of a shared journey rooted in the past.
The Mayor also referred to future initiatives of the Network, explaining that upcoming actions will focus on strengthening social bonds among member cities, with an emphasis on programs concerning children and senior citizens.
The festival continues today, Saturday, with events taking place in the streets and squares of Paphos. Residents and visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy live musical and dance performances from participating associations, culminating in a grand parade that will conclude at Kennedy Square.
In the afternoon, at the Old Electric Cultural Center, a mobile Exhibition of History and Culture Photography from the Network will be inaugurated, featuring photographic and archival material from sister cities that illuminate significant aspects of their history and folk traditions.
