Yiannis Armeftis has emerged as the newly elected mayor of Limassol, garnering 48.5% of the votes and signaling a fresh start for the coastal city. His victory promises progress and optimism for Limassol’s future, reflecting the residents’ desire for advancement under his leadership.
Simos Ioannou has been reelected as Famagusta’s exiled mayor, securing 40% of the vote, showcasing strong community support and diplomatic outreach with Turkish Cypriot leaders. His victory highlights his commitment to fostering crosscommunity cooperation amidst the ongoing Cyprus dispute, signaling a hopeful future for the city’s welfare and unity.
Andreas Vyras has won the Larnaca mayoral race, securing another term with almost twothirds of the vote. Residents have shown their trust in his leadership and vision for the city’s future.
Joseph Violaris emerged victorious in the Kyrenia mayoral race, securing 65.9% of the votes. His win symbolizes a commitment to upholding the rights and properties of those affected by historical conflicts, offering hope for displaced individuals seeking to return to their homes in line with European Union standards.
The Cyprus Folk Art Museum in Nicosia showcases artifacts from before, during, and after the 1974 Turkish invasion, reflecting the human experiences and cultural losses of that era, including personal clothing, letters, domestic objects, and evocative photos. The exhibition offers a poignant journey through history, highlighting the heartache, resilience, and hope of the Cypriot people during and after the conflict, with a focus on individual stories and artistic expressions of those impacted by the invasion.
Wheelchair users face significant barriers in public spaces, like the absence of ramps, leading to frustration and limited independence. Dimitris Lambrianides, of Opak, highlighted this issue when he had to yell from a window to gain access, showcasing the ongoing struggle for inclusive design and equal opportunity.
Fidias Panayiotou surprises all by securing the third spot in the European Parliament elections as an independent candidate, with a voter share of 15.7 to 18.3 percent. This unexpected upset highlights the electorate’s yearning for change and independent voices in the political realm.
The European elections saw a 38.6 percent voter turnout, a significant rise from the 29 percent in 2019, but still lower than the 44 percent in 2016 local elections, indicating a surge in civic participation. Turkish Cypriot voter engagement has been notable, with 4,110 out of 103,281 registered voters already casting their ballots, showcasing diverse political involvement.
The PURITY exhibition at Lefkara gallery features workshops, performances, and artist talks that delve into the essence of purity through art, inviting participants to engage with the theme in unique and interactive ways. From a Storytelling in Art workshop by Lefki Savvidou to an overnight performance titled Surrender by Umay Yilmaz Kutai, the events offer a vibrant exploration of the concept, culminating in a soundwalk experience curated by SofiiaZlata Shestakovskaya on July 13.
The recent election day in Cyprus was a crucial event emphasizing the weight of every vote in shaping local governance and the island’s European role. With MEPs and local authority positions at stake, Cypriots engaged in a democratic process that reflects on everyday life and Cyprus’s standing within Europe.
