Dear Friends,

The 4th Mediterranean Folklore Dance Festival that was held in Larnaca from 12 to 14 September 2009 had a huge success this year. In the Athens Avenue that has been overwhelming crowded with thousands of people, the platform of Foinikoude, Cypriots and foreign tourists had the opportunity to enjoy a weekend full of sound, color and dance. 350 dancers from 12 countries livened with dancing and singing to the town of Larnaca. Thousands of people that have attended this event got excited with the incredible art and skilled groups on the podium, with a different daily ten-minute program.

The opening ceremony attendees riveted by the amazing choreography of Mary Karapitta inspired by the sea. Marios Andreou baritone, and sopranos Katerina Andreou, Vanessa Megalemou and Nikoleta Mina, gave an amazing note by singing Cypriot traditional songs with their unique classical song - operatic voices, accompanied by the pianist Anninos Tsiouti and virtuoso violinist, a child prodigy, Moses Papamoyseos .

After researching into the culture of Egypt, which was the guest of honor, Sylvia Siren and Amira danced a sacred ritual dance dedicated to the goddess Isis. The opening ceremony ended with spectacular fireworks that illuminated the sky and the souls of viewers.

The opening ceremony was addressed by the President of the Cultural Heritage Association of Nicosia,  Mrs Madella Rea Ioannidou, the Mayor of Larnaca Mr. Andreas Moyseos, Mr. Aristodemos Aristodemou representing the Ministry of Education and Culture, the guest author, Dr Amir Nahib, Director of Cultural Department of Egypt, whilst the entry was made by Minister of Trade, Industry and Tourism Mr. Antonis Paschalidis.  The festival’s sponsors were given awards and credits during the opening ceremony. Mrs Rea Ioannidou and the Ambassador of Egypt said that nothing would be possible without the active contribution of the sponsors.
 
The dance program had impressed everyone, whilst there was impressive presence by many Ambassadors, representatives of the parliament and from political parties, Police, Army and other organizations.

The Mediterranean Festival was organized for the fourth consecutive year and has become the biggest event of the Mediterranean as a tradition. Many attendees and fans were benefiting from the special travel packages offered to them, and come to Cyprus especially for the Festival.

All groups are accompanied by mayors, journalists and friends, thus allowing the Municipality of Larnaca open intercultural relations and twinning with guests.

The Cultural Heritage Association of Nicosia gives the opportunity to all Cypriot dancing groups to participate and make exchange visits. Also many high school students of Larnaca and Famagusta are free to discuss and exchange knowledge about the culture of the neighboring peoples in a cost free visit program for schools thereby promoting multicultural education.

The countries taking part were: Greece with 2 groups, Egypt, Bulgaria, Italy, Spain, Croatia, Bosnia Herzegovina, Portugal, Slovenia, Russia, Armenia and Cyprus with the dancing groups of Athanasia, Youth of Voroklini, Akrites Geriou, the Turkish Cypriot group named ‘Famagusta‘ and the Armenians with a group named  SIPAN.

The festival was opened with a grand parade on Saturday, September 12, 2009 and the curtain fell on Monday, September 14, 2009.

The groups visited archaeological sites, along in Nicosia where they were briefed on the political problem of Cyprus, also visited the Green Line, the outposts - barricades and shared with the organizers the pain of the lost of their homeland.

Also, for the first time this year, there has been held during the Festival a seminar on 'African Festivals ', which was presented by Dr Amir Nahib and attended by all participants.

The Cultural Heritage Association of Nicosia has already issued the invitation to the 5th Mediterranean Folklore Dance Festival that will be held between 10 and 16 of September 2010.

See photos from the festival

See photos of the President of the Cultural Heritage Association of Nicosia taken during the festival