From Cyprus Mail - article by Bejay Browne 3 August 2017
AS Paphos prepares for two sell out concerts, which are highlights of Pafos2017, environmentalists are hitting out at authorities for giving permission for the events to be held at Petra tou Romiou, one of the most protected areas in Cyprus.
The Paphos branch of the Green party issued a statement on Wednesday criticising the creation of temporary seating and a stage in the area on Tuesday.
Legend has it that Petra tou Romiou, also known as Aphrodite’s rock, is the birthplace of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and fertility.
“The rig positioning at Aphrodite’s Rock, which covers a foreshore area and also extends into the sea, is a provocative move, obviously destructive to the natural environment, and which under any circumstances cannot be tolerated,” the Greens said in a statement.
Paphos Green party secretary, Andreas Evlavis, told the Cyprus Mail that fork lifts and other machinery were at the ancient site on Tuesday and work crews were constructing the stage and seating, much to the surprise of the hundreds of visitors who had gone to the area, expecting to find a peaceful beach. He said there are also concerns that the concerts are opening the way for other similar events in the future, and that the natural setting of the historic site must be preserved.
“It’s not necessary to hold events here and say it’s promoting culture. This is not the right place, or the right time for an event.” “Aphrodite’s rock does not need promoting, it is one of the most historic and popular areas of Cyprus. It is part of our heritage and a very sensitive area and we should be protecting it,” he said.
The concerts are due to be held on August 4 and 5 and a large audience is expected to attend.
“No building is allowed in this area and umbrellas are not even permitted on the beach. I don’t understand why the authorities gave permission for these events,” he said.
Evlavis added that an international beauty contest due to be held at the site a number of years ago raised huge objections as soon as work got underway to facilitate the event, and a large demonstration prevented it from going ahead. “What will happen when someone else wants to hold an event here after these concerts and they use this as a precedent,” he said. Evlavis suggested that Curium or the ancient amphitheatre in Kato Paphos would have been more suitable venues.
In addition, at an area close by the Green party also said a handful of pine trees were cut to make way for an artist’s creations and give a better view. “The local community, and the whole of Cyprus requires explanations concerning the relevant department’s approval and for the idea that Pafos2017 sacrifice the natural environment for the sake of the supposed promotion of culture. If anything this move proves that both of the two entities are unable to fulfil their role.”
And From inCyprus 2 August 2017:
The construction of a grandstand and stage by the Pafos 2017 organisers at Aphrodite’s Rock (Petra Tou Romiou) for concerts this weekend has raised concern among environmental groups.
Organisers have constructed a 1,000-seat grand stand at the mythical birthplace of the goddess Aphrodite in light of two concerts set to be performed on Friday and Saturday as part of the Pafos 2017 – European Capital of Culture celebrations.
The grandstands have already been constructed and the stage extends into the sea to a depth of one metre while electrical and sound installations are set to be installed on Wednesday before being inspected by the Cyprus Electricity Authority (EAC) and the Electromechanical Services.
Environmentalists are concerned of the sea pollution and the pressure of so many visitors on a very much protected area.
It seems that the organisers have only received permission from the Forestry Department to stage the event.
According to Forestry Department Director Takis Tsindites, permission was given to the organisers of Pafos 2017 despite the area being a NATURA 2000 site. He did however note, that had the request been made by a private concern, it would have been denied.
Environmental Department Director Costas Hadjipanagiotou noted that his department was only made aware of the concert on Tuesday after receiving an e-mail to that effect from the organisers.
Hadjipanagiotou stated that the Department cannot approve the event after the stands have already been constructed, and does not sanction concerts on the water as it is impossible for them to take place without any environmental impact.
Similar requests by the Pafos 2017 organisers to hold concerts at the sea caves in Peyia have been denied by the Environmental Department.
The site on which the concert is to be held, is in a protected planning zone as well as within a protected coastal area and an area close to a protected site. It also falls within the Randi State Forest and within the NATURA 2000 site Cape White-Aphrodites Rock and has been declared an Area of Social Importance for the natural habitats of fauna and flora as well as a Special Protected Zone for wild birds. Environmentalists argue that the concert will take place during the middle of the nesting period of the Eleonora’s falcon.
The area between Cape White and Aphrodite’s Rock is considered to be the most important nesting grounds for Eleonora’s falcon in Cyprus and the concerts will have a negative impact on the nesting birds in the area.