?he 63rd Limassol Wine Festival kicked off officially on Saturday evening, at the coastal town’s Municipal Garden, with plenty of wine, music, dancing and in a festive atmosphere. Minister of Energy, Trade and Industry, George Papanastasiou, inaugurated the festival, assuring of the government’s support to the wine sector.
Papanastasiou first inaugurated the stands of the wineries and the stand of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, while the official opening of the Wine Festival followed, at the “Marios Tokas” Municipal Garden Theater.
In his address, the Minister said that Cyprus’s long wine-making tradition comes today to meet the modern techniques in wine-making, along with the continuous efforts made by wine-makers to improve the production process by upgrading their units.
“Rightly so, a climate of optimism is being cultivated for the great prospects presented by Cypriot wine-making, with the progress that has been achieved in recent years being clearly reflected by the g
lobal awards received by Cypriot wines every year, but also by the good reputation they have acquired both in Cyprus and in foreign markets”, he added.
He also noted that in 2023 Cypriot wine exports reached approximately pound 1.3 million, in the four-year period 2020-2023 they totaled pound 5.5 million and the increase in exports, when comparing 2023 and 2020, amounted to 48%.
On his part, the Mayor of Limassol, Yiannis Armeftis, said that this year’s event, which will last until October 6, promises an unforgettable experience full of flavours, aromas and fun.
“The events we have planned further enrich this unique tradition, which began in 1961. With the activities we have prepared, we want to keep alive the historical roots of the celebration that has been established as the greatest popular celebration of our country,” the Mayor stressed.
He also noted that this year’s Wine Festival presents a collector’s edition of Commandaria wine, in collaboration with LOEL, KEO and SODAP wineries, commemorating th
e 800th anniversary of the wine’s award in the international competition “La Bataille des Vins”. A total of 1,000 numbered bottles can be found at the stands of the wineries and the Municipality’s stand for sale.
Performances took place at the opening of the 63rd Wine Festival among others by the artistic groups participating the 17th Euro-Mediterranean Festival of Traditional Dances, together with the Philharmonics of the Municipality of Limassol and Mesa Geitonia, as well as the Violin Orchestra of the University of Macedonia.
Source: Cyprus News Agency