Slide 1

Slide 2 Cyprus is an island in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, where East meets the West. It was established as an independent republic in 1960. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean, with an area of 9,251 square kilometers. The strategic location of the island, at the intersection of three continents, has been a cause of misfortune for the last 4000 years, turning it into an object of desire for many conquerors. Slide 3 Cyprus gained independence from the colonial rule of the British Empire in 1960. It is a multicultural society, populated by Greek and Turkish Cypriots. Nicosia is the capital of the island. It is located at the centre of the island and is the main commercial market of Cyprus. In 1974, Turkey invaded our island and illegally occupied the 36% of its territory. The people of Cyprus still long for a settlement that will enable Greek and Turkish Cypriots to live peacefully, as they had done for centuries in the past, and enjoy together the benefits of EU membership. Slide 4 The island of Cyprus enjoys a reputation as a first class holiday destination, with year-round sunshine, blue skies and warm sea waters. Cyprus unique natural environment and climate, as well as its history and civilisation which span centuries back, attract more and more visitors year after year. Slide 5 Pafos, our home town, is situated in the southwest of Cyprus. It has approximately 30 000 inhabitants, most of which are Greek Cypriots. It is a well developed tourist destination, visited by thousands of tourists every year. A international civil airport accommodates the city. Over the last 20 years, a vibrant immigrant community of eastern Europeans has been formed in Pafos, so our schools are attended by many children of diverse culture and legacy. Slide 6 Having a beautiful small port, guarded by its historic castle, Pafos is one of the most picturesque towns in Cyprus. The entire area of the lower town has been inscribed on the UNESCOs World Heritage List. Slide 7 Paphos area Slide 8 Our school was build in 2007. It is located at the towns north entrance, just five minutes from the town centre. Slide 9 In our school there are 202 pupils aged between 6-12 years old. Most of them are Greek Cypriot, however, about 20% of the total number come from other countries such as Georgia(20), Romania(8), Ukraine(4), Russia (2), Bulgaria(2), Italy (1), Syria (1) and Armenia (1). There are 12 classes, with 13-21 students each. Slide 10 Our teaching staff is consisted of the headmaster, 2 depute headteachers, 17 classroom teachers and a music teacher. Moreover, there are two special education teachers who visit our school for a certain number of days and assist pupils facing various learning difficulties. Slide 11 We are very pleased to be part of the Lifelong Learning Programme-Comenius and we are looking forward for the best possible cooperation and for the best possible results. Slide 12 Slide 13 The Birth of Venus (in Italian: Nascita di Venere) is a painting by the Italian renaissance artist Sandro Botticelli. It depicts the goddess Aphrodite, having emerged from the sea near Paphos, as a full grown woman. The painting is nowadays held in Firenze. Our city was founded 3000 years ago, by Greek settlers who came to our island from the Peloponnese. The settlers brought their Greek language and culture to Cyprus. They worshiped the 12 Gods of Olympus and built many temples and shrines to honour them. One of their goddesses and her worship soon prevailed: Aphrodite (Venus), the goddess of beauty, who was in fact a Cypriot! Ancient Greek mythology alleged that Aphrodite had been born in Cyprus, near Paphos. Slide 14 The birthplace of Aphrodite Slide 15 The ancient sanctuary of Aphrodite Once a year, pilgrims from Greece and Rome visited our city to participate in the festivities that took place at Aphrodites temple. Slide 16 They also visited her sacred gardens and baths. This is where, according to another legend, the Goddess used to meet with Adonis, a local mortal man, a hunter of wild boars, that she had fallen in love with! Adonis and Aphrodite at the Sacred Gardens of Paphos Slide 17 In 58 BC the Romans seized our island. Under Roman rule, Paphos became the capital city and prospered. The Pretorium, the Roman Proconsuls residence, is located near the port of our city. Beautiful mosaics decorate all the floors of the villas main building. The god of wine Dionysus (Bacchus) is the major figure in many of these mosaics who narrate ancient Greek legends and myths. Slide 18 In 58 BC the Romans seized our island. Under Roman rule, Paphos became the capital city and prospered. In 47AD, St. Paul came to Paphos to preach Christianity to the local Greek population. He was arrested by the Romans, tied to a marble pillar and received 39 lashes on his back as punishment. The byzantine church of St. Kyriaki and the pillars where st. Paul was penalized. Slide 19 Afterwards, he was brought before Lucius Sergius Paulus, the Proconsul of Cyprus under emperor Claudius. According to the Acts of the Apostles, St. Paul was successful in converting the Proconsul to Christianity when he miraculously casted blindness upon his prosecutor, the mage Elymas. Slide 20 In 2010 AD, his holiness Pope Benedict XVI visited Paphos and prayed at the place of St. Pauls torture. Slide 21 In the 7 th century, AD the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire was in war with the Arabs. In order to protect Cyprus, the emperor Heraclius built new forts and sent well trained soldiers to guard the island. These were called Akrites (Border Guards). There are numerous folk songs that praise the Akrites on their courage and deeds. Most of these songs narrate the feats of the heroic Digenis Akritas. These folk songs always attribute super-natural powers and traits to the favorite protector of the people and greatly exaggerate on his accomplishments. Ruins of the Byzantine castle 40 Kolones, on a small hill by the city port. A smaller fort guarded the port entrance. It was rebuild in the 17 th century. Slide 22 Ruins of the Byzantine castle 40 Kolones, on a small hill by the city port. Petra tou Romiou / The rock of the Roman is the rock Digenis threw against the pirates. According to one of the legends, Digenis Akritas had singlehandedly scared away a band of Arab Saracen pirates. The scared pirates fled to their ships, waiting on a coast near Paphos. Digenis stood on the top of Troodos mountain, grabbed a massive rock with his hand and threw it against them, crashing and sinking their pirate ships In the 7 th century, AD the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire was in war with the Arabs. In order to protect Cyprus, the emperor Heraclius built new forts and sent well trained soldiers to guard the island. These were called Akrites (Border Guards). Slide 23 Medieval map of the fortifications of Nicosia St. Nicholas cathedral in Famagusta During the Crusades, Cyprus became a strong and prosperous Christian Kingdom of the Near East, ruled by the Frankish (French) family De Lusignan. The capital was moved to Nicosia, while Famagusta became the second most important city, being the commercial port of the island. Slide 24 The castle of the Templar Knights in Limassol Sweet red grape wine Commandaria King Peter I de Lusignan (1328 AD - 1369 AD) was a fair ruler! As a king, he was loved by the people of his realm and respected by his fellow European kings. He was also a great warrior feared by his enemies. He loved the most famous sweet wine of Cyprus called Commandaria. This was produced by the Templar Knights who owned vineyards in Limassol and in Paphos. It is still produced today! Slide 25 The castle of the Templar Knights in Limassol King Peter I de Lusignan (1328 AD - 1369 AD) was a fair ruler! As a king, he was loved by the people of his realm and respected by his fellow European kings. He was also a great warrior feared by his enemies. He loved the most famous sweet wine of Cyprus called Commandaria. This was produced by the Templar Knights who owned vineyards in Limassol and in Paphos. It is still produced today! The feast of the five kings is a painting by Albert Chevallier Tyler. It depicts Peter I of Cyprus, feasting with the kings of England, Scotland, France and Denmark. They are all drinking Commandaria. The painting is nowadays held in London. Slide 26 The Chateau De Covocle in Kouklia, Paphos was the summer residence of the Lousignan kings. Peter and Joanna used to meet here! King Peter got married to Doa Eleanor D Aragon, a Spanish princess from Barcelona. She became Queen of Cyprus and gave the king three children. But the king fell in love with a young noblewoman whose name was Joanna L Allemagne. Joanna was already married to a knight and lived in a rich feud near Paphos, called Hulu. According to the legend, the queen heard of the kings affair. So, when the king left Cyprus on a trip to France, Eleanor had Joanna arrested, tortured and imprisoned The troubadours sympathised with Joanna, who suffered so much in the hands of the evil queen. They spread the story with their singing of the Legend of Arodafnousa, a song sang by folk artists even today! The Queen