DUBAI, 24 February 2022 – Cyprus celebrated its National Day at Expo 2020 on Thursday with a visit by President Nicos Anastasiades and a showcase of the country’s folkloric musical traditions.
His Excellency Nicos Anastasiades, President of the Republic of Cyprus was welcomed by His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Commissioner General of Expo 2020 Dubai.
His Excellency Nicos Anastasiades said: “This first Expo of the Middle East and Gulf region stands as an incredible bridging ground of cultures and ideas, promoting collective global action in the face of many challenges we must tackle and the need to invest in building new synergies, in areas such as health emergency response, smart agriculture, food security, cyber security, maritime safety climate change and alternative sources of energy.”
HE Anastasiades added: “I invite all of you to the Cyprus Pavilion, ‘Cyprus, at the centre of where you want to be’, which encapsulates one of the most prominent characteristics and strengths of our country: our strategic location at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East and Asia, highlighting our potential to explore mutually beneficial synergies in areas such as education, arts, culture, gastronomy and tourism, business and investment.”
His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan said: “Through its participation, Cyprus showcases the centrality of its location and its potential to be a true crossroad in today’s globalised world, while emphasising its rich heritage and the opportunities it has to offer as a destination for business, investment, and tourism.
“The UAE shares relations with Cyprus that are based on the values of friendship and mutual respect. We also look forward to exploring opportunities for increased cooperation in areas such as education and cultural exchanges that will lead to deep and lasting connections between our people.”
During a media briefing later, HE Anastasiades said: “What we are trying to develop [is] the connectivity between our two countries, to have much more frequent flights, in order to allow our brothers from the United Arab Emirates to visit Cyprus whilst Cypriots of course, are visiting Dubai – it’s an exceptional place.” The Cyprus Symphony Orchestra entertained guests with a performance – under the direction of concertmaster Wolfgang Schroeder. Although written in a Western style, the music is based on traditional dances and songs that are widely performed throughout the country. The orchestra performed ‘Dancer of the Clay’, the music for a three-part dance usually performed by men dancing in pairs; ‘Au Mariage du Village’, which uses melodies from traditional Cyprus weddings; and ‘Tessera tzai Tessera’, a lament that is frequently sung around the island.
Folk performances highlighting Cyprus’ culture and traditions will be held throughout the day at Expo 2020 Dubai’s Sea Stage at 1500, Earth Stage at 1800 and Sun Stage at 2030, while the country’s flag will be projected on the Al Wasl Dome in the evening.
Located in the Opportunity District, the Cyprus Pavilion showcase the very best of the nation’s culture, heritage and technology. The exhibition focuses on the island’s geostrategic location at the crossroads of three continents, highlighting it as an ideal place to visit, live and do business.
National and Honour Days at Expo 2020 Dubai are moments to celebrate each of Expo 2020’s 200-plus International Participants, shining a light on their culture and achievements and showcasing their pavilions and programming.
Running until 31 March 2022, Expo 2020 has invited visitors from across the planet to join the making of a new world in a six-month celebration of human creativity, innovation, progress and culture.