Prominent guests such as the Cypriot Minister of Education and Culture, Dr. Andreas Demetriou, the Norwegian Ambassador to Greece and Cyprus, Mr. Sverre Stub, and the Ambassador from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Ingrid Schulerud had made their way to Salamiou to participate in the opening ceremony, which took place on a very sunny and warm autumn Sunday.
“Norway is proud to have supported this centre, where students and teachers will get to explore and acquire in-depth knowledge of environmental protection and sustainable development,” announced Ambassador Ingrid Schulerud, from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in her opening speech.
Together with Minister Andreas Demetriou, she had the honour of cutting the ribbon at the inauguration. In addition, the opening of the new centre was celebrated with traditional dance performances, speeches and blessings, as well as tree planting, to symbolise the centre’s focus on environmental education.
Will benefit the population of Cyprus as a whole
The centre is based in an old school building, which has been renovated and restored thanks to almost €625,000 in Norwegian funding. The establishment of the new centre is not only warmly welcomed by the whole Salamiou community, but by Cyprus as a whole.
“The centre will give new life to the school which used to have more than 300 students, and which will now have students from all over Cyprus,” said the Cypriot Minister of Culture and Education, Dr. Andreas Demetriou, in his speech at the inauguration.
It is expected that the centre will give a new boost to the village by increasing the activity and attracting more visitors to the area. The centre will attract students and teachers from all over Cyprus, and will as such also benefit the whole population of Cyprus.
Photo: The ceremony marking the inauguration of the new centre for environmental education in Salamiou Village in Cyprus. The picture is taken by Sigve Soldal Bjorstad / FMO.