65th annual wine festival opens in Limassol

The 65th annual wine festival officially commenced on the evening of September 26 at the Limassol Public Garden. The event, which highlights Cyprus’s viticultural heritage, features participation from over 100 wineries and is scheduled to continue through October 4.

The opening ceremony was presided over by Minister of Transport, Communications and Works Evi Tsolaki, in the presence of the President of the House of Representatives, foreign ambassadors, and local officials. During her address, Minister Tsolaki commemorated the origins of the festival, which was first proposed by Kleanthis Christoforou 65 years ago. She emphasized the government's commitment to supporting the primary sector and rural communities through the administration of President Nikos Christodoulides.

The festival serves as a critical platform for both local producers and tourism, supported by Cyprus's status as a European Union member. Addressing concerns regarding the agricultural sector, the Minister noted the initiation of a vineyard replanting program, designed to restore areas affected by last year's wildfires while creating natural fire protection zones for the future.