Nicosia: Heads of state, government leaders, and representatives of European institutions are arriving at the Cyprus Theatre Organisation (THOC) where the Opening Ceremony of Cyprus' Presidency of the Council of the European Union is about to take place. The EU and other dignitaries are welcomed by the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, and the First Lady, Philippa Karsera.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the Secretary-General of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, and his spouse Laila Salah Eldin were the first to arrive, followed by the President of Lebanon, Joseph Khalil Aoun, and his wife Nehmat Aoun, and subsequently the President of Iraq, Abdul Latif Rashid, and his spouse Shanaz Ibrahim Ahmed. President Christodoulides is also welcoming the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Jasem Albudaiwi, as well as the President of Moldova, Maia Sandu, and the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The President will then welcome the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the President of the European Council, Ant³nio Costa. Among those attending the ceremony will also be the President of the European Court of Auditors, Tony Murphy. At ministerial level, the countries of the region Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates will be represented.
The event is expected to begin at 6:30 p.m. with the playing of the National Anthem of Cyprus and the Anthem of the European Union. The Deputy Minister for European Affairs, Marilena Raouna, will address a welcome speech in English, followed by an address in Greek by the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides. Addresses are also expected to be delivered by the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and by the Presidents of the European institutions, Ant³nio Costa and Ursula von der Leyen.
A multi-layered artistic performance entitled 'MEMORY-PRESENT-META', directed by Kostas Silvestros, will follow. Developed in three acts, the performance combines music, dance, theatre, visual imagery, poetry, and digital technologies, narrating the history of Cyprus through the centuries and highlighting its culture as an integral part of European culture. More than 100 Cypriot artists and cultural professionals, including choristers, actors, dancers, musicians, visual and digital artists, as well as a large technical crew, will contribute to the production of this multifaceted work.
Following the completion of the ceremony, President Christodoulides will host an official dinner for the heads of the official delegations at the Leventis Gallery.