by Vasos Vasou
A new cultural revival initiative has been added to the intangible heritage of Larnaca’s communities, bringing to light myths and legends that were passed down from generation to generation for decades.
Launched on the initiative of the Rural Women’s Association of Larnaca and the local tourism company, with the support of the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, the project takes the form of a contemporary audiovisual intervention that highlights nine local legends from the Larnaca district.
As part of the initiative, short videos have been produced in which residents of the participating communities narrate a recorded local legend against the backdrop of characteristic landscapes from their villages. The videos are accompanied by English subtitles, broadening their audience and offering an authentic and accessible cultural experience to foreign visitors as well.
In the coming period, signs with QR codes are expected to be installed in the nine communities participating in the initiative, at locations linked to each legend. This will allow visitors to watch the videos directly on their mobile phones.
According to an announcement by the tourism company, the aim of the project is to highlight the intangible cultural heritage of rural Larnaca, strengthen the cultural identity of local communities, enrich the tourism experience and encourage the active participation of the local population.
The nine communities and their legends are as follows:
Agios Theodoros – The Koufi of Pentaschoinos
Alaminos – The Myth of Loukas
Kalavasos – The Little Bridge
Anafotia – The Lotta of Pikrou
Lageia – Easter on Palm Sunday
Lefkara – The Eliokokkono
Ora – We Are the Seven-Time-Blessed Orates
Skarinou – The Hole of Karamanos/Black Man
Kato Drys – The Legend of the Queen