Everything is ready for the sixth Bi-communal Peace Festival. Against the backdrop of the Cyprus issue and efforts to resume talks, Pyla is preparing to host a unique gathering.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
President Christodoulides and Tufan Erhurman will attend the Peace Festival, in a gathering far from the runways of the old Nicosia airport.
Read more: PHOTOS: Tables are being set up and walls are being painted in Pyla to welcome Christodoulides and Erhurman for the first time
A few hours before the Pyla bicommunal festival opens its gates, the venue is slowly taking its final shape. In a village that has long served as a meeting place for Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.
“The two communities can coexist in a peaceful and harmonious environment. Relations between the two communities are growing stronger, and I believe that we, too, are doing our part to—at long last—achieve a solution to the Cyprus problem.” Simos Mytidis, Community Leader of Pyla
Expectations
The question is to what extent such initiatives can also help create the conditions for substantial progress on the Cyprus issue. We recorded the views of local residents.
“Let them meet and get along. But we don’t see any progress.”
“They’re meeting to work things out. I hope they can work things out so the Cyprus problem can be resolved. But I don’t believe it. And people will talk among themselves…”
“It’s a good thing; now let’s see what happens… Since we’re holding talks to resolve the Cyprus issue, that’s a positive step.”
At the event, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots will dance traditional dances together and participate in joint activities.
The Bi-communal Peace Festival was first held in 2015 with the aim of bringing together Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot residents of Pyla. The last event took place in 2019. Its return—seven years later—takes on special significance due to the presence of the two leaders.
The festival will take place tomorrow at 7:00 p.m. The event is organized by the Pyla Community Council, in collaboration with the Turkish Cypriot community leader and the United Nations.
