Visitors at Kallinikio Municipal Museum of Athienou will be able to listen to the story of Cypriot Pan through his statue, narrated in three languages, Greek, English and Russian and conveyed through a phone application.
Larnaca Tourism Development and Promotion Company (ETAP) official, Nana Asmeni-Pavlou told CNA that the Cypriot Pan is the new addition to the «Larnaka Story Telling Statues», that began two years ago.
The Cypriot Pan is different from the Pan of Arcadia in Greece because he has the benefit of standing out wherever he goes and also to blend in with humans and their peculiarities.
The Cypriot Pan holds his instrument, the pan flute called syrinx which is made of reeds, along with his shepherd’s crook called lagobolon. He knows of life and good times and fun is his ‘art’. Lust and desires of the flesh are also familiar to him which is why he protects people.
According to Asmeni-Pavlu, the archaeological mission in the Malloura area, led by archaeology professor Dr. Michalis Toumazou, located many sculptures of the Cypriot Pan, so they named him ‘pandemonium’. Dr. Toumazou gave his voice to the English-speaking narration of the story of the Cypriot Pan”, since as he explained the philosophy behind this initiative is to give his voice to every statue, a person who has an indirect relationship with him.
The Larnaka Story Telling Statues recount their story in their ‘own’ words by simply scanning the QR code on participating monuments to receive a call-back on your smart device.
First it started with the philosopher Zeno of Kition. The founder of the Stoic school of Philosophy is honoured with three different statues dotted around Larnaka. Then General Kimon, the bust of the general is in Finikoudes. The general defeated his enemies even in death in the 5th century BC and stands as a symbol of courage and victory. Another statue is that of Apollonios Kitieas. The statue of the physician of the Empiric school of thought heralds the start of the town centre. Michael Kashalos is also depicted, the self-taught artist/painter who began his career in his 70s. His statue is at the centre of Larnaca while the winged Lion of Venice’s statue is near the Medieval Castle and is a gift from Venice to mark its twinning with Larnaka city.
The ETAP official said the story telling statues are a success and are located throughout Larnaca district.
The Cruciform Figure is a 6000-year-old cross-shaped idol and one of the many priceless exhibits found at the Pierides Museum – Bank of Cyprus Culture Foundation.
Hippocrates’ monument in honour of the most renowned physician of ancient times, is exhibited at the Kyriazis Medical Museum while the statue of Makarios III, the first president of Cyprus is located at Akropolis.
Sister Sophie Chambon’s, the French Catholic Nun of Saint Joseph of the Apparition Convent dedicated her life to the city’s residents. The sculpture outside the convent is a tribute to her patience, wisdom and spiritual knowledge. Also at Pervolia, near the Faros Lighthouse, stands Kallipatira, the mother who risked everything to watch her son compete in the ancient Olympics. Leo the Wise is located at Saint Lazarus Church while the monument of the Armenian Genocide is at Finikoudes and the statues of Irene and Tefkros Anthias are standing at the town’s municipal garden.
The initiative won a Gold award at the ‘Cyprus Tourism Awards 2021’. ETAP is always seeking to implement innovative actions, which can satisfy the needs of the modern traveller, with the ultimate goal of course, the enrichment of the tourist product of the city and district of Larnaca”.
She also said that “essentially this is an effort that is part of the wider digital upgrade implemented by the Larnaca ETAP, including the virtual museums and the three-dimensional virtual restorations of archaeological sites. Last year there was a virtual restoration of the port of ancient Kition and this year the same will be done with the Neolithic settlement of Kalavasos and it is expected to be ready by the end of the year”, she added.
Source: Cyprus News Agency