**A Musical Tour Through Paphos: Celebrating World Music Day**
This weekend, Paphos will come alive with music as the city participates in the global celebration of World Music Day. The Paphos Municipality has organized a unique musical route through the city center, inviting residents and visitors to enjoy a variety of performances. The festivities will commence on Sunday, June 21, starting at 4 PM at the Municipal Garden, located behind the Municipality.
The opening act will feature the Vox Venus Equal Voices Choir alongside the Harp Ensemble from the Pafos Music School. The Vox Venus Choir, which includes members from the Girls’ Choir of the Music Schools of Paphos and Limassol, will perform a selection of Cypriot traditional songs. Among the pieces they will present are "Aspri mou Triantafyllitsa," "Ayia Kotsini," and "Myrtia." The choir will be accompanied by Ivelina Rouseva on piano and conducted by Eleni Kyprianou.
Following this, the Harp Ensemble will showcase a diverse repertoire that includes "The Waltz of Lost Dreams" by Manos Hadjidakis, the traditional song "To Yasemin," Beethoven’s "Ode to Joy," and the English classic "Greensleeves," among other works.
At 5:30 PM, the musical route will lead to the Sleeping Eros Fountain at Kostis Palamas Square, where a collaboration with the Alliance Française de Paphos will take place. Vocalist Ermina Kalogirou and guitarist Ilias Koutlis will present a musical afternoon titled "From Paris with Love." This segment will feature a selection of French songs, both classic and contemporary, including timeless favorites like "La Vie en Rose" by Edith Piaf and "Je Veux" by Zaz, celebrating the romantic essence of French music.
The next stop on the musical journey will be Ivi’s Maliotou Park, in front of the Municipal Art Gallery, at 6:30 PM. Here, families can enjoy "The Cicada’s Apology," a music and storytelling performance narrated by Alexis Goudas, accompanied by the Quintus Ensemble. This event is designed to be family-friendly, encouraging attendees to bring blankets and relax on the grass under the shade of the park’s trees while enjoying an engaging blend of music and storytelling.
As the sun sets over Paphos, the musical route will continue at Dioikitiria Square at 7:30 PM with a performance by the Chara Miller Jazz Quintet. This ensemble will present a mix of well-known international and Greek songs, showcasing the distinctive sounds of jazz. The group features Chara Miller on vocals, Emilios Patsalides on guitar, Kostas Challoumas on double bass, Giorgos Kylilis on drums, and Mustafa Esenyel on keyboards, promising a vibrant evening of music.
The celebrations will culminate at 9 PM at the Amphitheatre of the Historical Documentation Centre with a performance by Rumba Attack. The group, consisting of Konstantinos Lyras and Memnon Arestis on guitars, along with Savvas Thomas on percussion and vocals, will deliver a dynamic blend of flamenco-rumba infused with Mediterranean and Eastern influences.
World Music Day in Paphos offers a diverse array of live music performances throughout the city center, providing an opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate the universal language of music. The event is free of charge, making it accessible to all who wish to participate in this cultural celebration.
For more information, residents and visitors can contact the Paphos Municipality at 26-822313. The musical route promises to be an enriching experience, showcasing local talent and fostering a sense of community through the joy of music.