Limassol: The Limassol International Book Fair is a substantial contribution to our cultural diplomacy, said Deputy Minister of Culture, Vasiliki Kassianidou, on Saturday, during her address at the opening of the 4th International Book Fair at Lanitis Carob Mills, in Limassol. Declaring the official opening of the Fair on behalf of the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, the Deputy Minister emphasized the government’s support for the literary community.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Deputy Minister Kassianidou highlighted the government’s commitment to cultural development through targeted sponsorship programs. These initiatives aim to support writers and intellectuals by funding literary translations, facilitating their participation in international festivals and conferences, and enabling the representation of organized groups at major international book fairs. In addition, the government supports the organization of literary events, conferences, and festivals within Cyprus.
The Deputy Minister also discussed initiatives to promote reading habits and Cypriot literature. The Deputy Ministry of Culture is actively supporting the Limassol International Book Fair through sponsorship programs managed by the Department of Contemporary Culture. This support underscores the government’s dedication to fostering a vibrant literary culture.
Furthermore, Kassianidou mentioned the recent approval by the Council of Ministers of the ‘Cyprus Library Strategic Development Plan.’ She described this as a strategic reform that signals the state’s commitment to modernizing and upgrading cultural institutions. The plan serves as a reference document to ensure the necessary conditions for implementing actions with immediate, visible, and measurable results. Kassianidou noted that through this strategic development, library policy in Cyprus is being placed on a modern footing, fully aligned with European standards.