Lemesos 2030: A Journey that Placed Culture at the Heart of City Life

Lemesos has concluded its bid for the title of European Capital of Culture 2030, presenting a proposal founded on participation, dialogue and cooperation among the people and institutions of the city.
The preparation was an open process, shaped through public discussions, focus groups, joint actions and active engagement by artists, cultural organisations, communities, educational institutions and citizens. Regardless of the final outcome, this journey has formed a shared field of collaboration that remains alive and active.
Statement by the Mayor of Lemesos, Mr Yiannis Armeftis
“I wish to congratulate Larnaka on its success. This is a success for Cyprus as a whole, and we are all proud of this. We stand ready to cooperate wherever this may benefit culture and our island in general.
I would also like to warmly congratulate our own team for the tremendous efforts made over these past months, and thank the Board of Directors and the team of the Lemesos 2030 Organisation for their outstanding work. They worked with professionalism and consistency at every stage of this journey.
The bid process for the title of European Capital of Culture enabled Lemesos to assess its needs, to strengthen dialogue with the city’s institutions and to define more clearly its priorities for the coming years.
For the Municipality of Lemesos, the direction is clear: we move forward with a vision and a plan for a city for all—through projects and actions that strengthen culture and enhance quality of life in Lemesos. The goals we have set remain in place and constitute a stable foundation for the city’s future.”
Statement by Dr Andreas Pittas, Chairman of the Board, Lemesos 2030 Organisation
“The bidding journey was an experience of deep collectivity and participation. We had the opportunity to witness first-hand what Lemesos can achieve when it unites its strengths, ideas and creativity around a shared vision.
The true value of this journey is not confined to the final outcome. It lies in what was cultivated along the way: collaborations that were formed, relationships of trust that were strengthened, ways of thinking that evolved, and a new perspective on how the city can grow through culture.
Lemesos possesses a vibrant, productive and endlessly creative society. This human capital remains the strongest foundation upon which the next steps can be built.
This experience reminded us that our city can move forward when it operates with collectivity, consistency and faith in its potential. The work that has begun does not end here. We continue with knowledge, maturity and a sense of responsibility towards Lemesos and its people.”
Statement by the Artistic Director, Eleana Alexandrou
Our bid journey gave us the opportunity to work with focus and coherence, in a scale that we practiced for the first time, with consistency and immeasurable collaborations. It was a process of continuous listening, planning and exchange, where we listened to new voices, brought together different perspectives and co-shaped the cultural priorities of the city.
I feel deeply grateful to all those who stood beside us as fellow travellers: sponsors and supporters, creators and artists, cultural organisations, groups, communities, schools, professionals and residents who offered their valuable time, knowledge and energy.
We will take the short time needed to pause, to breathe and to look ahead with clarity towards the next step. Everything built along this journey-relationships, collaborations and shared directions-forms a precious foundation for the future of culture in our city.
We warmly congratulate the Larnaka 2030 team on winning the title of European Capital of Culture 2030. Their success reflects years of dedication and creative consistency. We wish them every success in the implementation of their vision. Culture unites us through dialogue, exchange and curiosity for one another—and in this field, all cities have something to learn from and offer to Cyprus’s second European Capital of Culture.”
www.lemesos2030.com | info@lemesos2030.com 99800050
About Lemesos 2030:
The Organisation Lemesos 2030 European Capital of Culture – Candidate City was established in November 2022 by the Municipality of Limassol as an independent organisation, with the mission of pursuing the title of European Capital of Culture.
Lemesos 2030 Network:
Strategic Partner: Medochemie Ltd
Collaborative Partners: Cyprus University of Technology – Multimedia and Graphic Arts Department, Communication and Internet Studies Department, Serious Products Lab, Semiotics and Visual Communication Lab, Cyprus Interaction Lab
Sponsors: ATLAS PANTOU CO LTD, Park Beach Hotel, Muskita Holdings Ltd, Limassol Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Supporters: Muskita Aluminium Industries, Crowne Plaza, German Medical Institute, EKA group, Gravity Advisory
Visibility partners: Rialto Theatre, AEL, Apollon, In Prima
Media sponsors: Kanali 6, MC Media, Nea Polis, Limassol Today
Hospitality sponsor: Alinea SUITES