Our cultural identity: Experience the culture and heritage of Cyprus

Travel Expenses
Up to €820 (Fully Funded)
Course Fee
€480 (Fully Funded)
Accommodation & Other
Up to €160 per day (Fully Funded)
Course Description

Culture has the power to transform entire societies, strengthen local communities and forge a sense of identity and belonging for people of all ages. Youth can act as a bridge between cultures and serve as key agents in promoting peace and intercultural understanding.

Culture is defined as the language, beliefs, values, heritage etc. for any society/country and also identifies the people of each country.

This course is addressed to young people and youth workers who want to discover and explore the cultural heritage of Cyprus and its hidden gems that make it a unique part of Europe. During the course you will discover Cyprus’ rich history and culture, explore the traditions and customs of the island and meet the most popular ancient jobs and local products thus offering a magnificent transnational experience. Whatever the season is, Cyprus offers the opportunity to everyone to experience something new, interesting and exciting such as wine making as Cyprus has been a vine-growing and wine-producing country for millennia, or maybe experience the traditional use of ‘roses’ for making a plethora of rose products, or explore the national part of Akamas following one of the many nature trails reaching the turtles, or even getting to know the locals’ habits at the well-known ‘kafenio’ for an intercultural debate.

Come to Cyprus explore and enjoy the weather, sandy beaches, mountains, traditional food, culture, people, hospitality and many more!

 

Topics Include
  • The importance of cultural-awareness for promoting European values
  • The Cultural Heritage of Cyprus
  • Getting to know the ancient wine-growing and wine-producing through the years
  • Meet the popular wine routes of Cyprus
  • The green heart of Cyprus – From Troodos mountains to the national part of Akamas
  • Reflect on urbanisation and re-visit rural life
  • Gastronomy: taste the local products
  • Learn the basics of the Greek Language
Aims in relation to the development of your organisation
  • Promoting cultural awareness and historical heritage of a European country
  • Equipping youth with European values of unity and diversity
  • Empowering youth with civic competences
  • Enriching language learning
  • Reflecting on urbanization and sustainable development
  • Exploring civic and social engagement and participation in non-formal learning activities
  • Improve the cultural heritage competences of young people and youth workers
Course Schedule

* The course can be modified according to the preferences of the attendees

Monday

Venue: TBC – Hotel conference room in Paphos city

Introduction to the course, presentation of the 6-days course agenda and ice-breaking activities to get-to-know each other.
Presentation and registration by all participants to the ‘Emphasys KA1 platform’ which includes all the necessary information regarding the practical arrangements of the course. The focus of the first day will be on exploring interactive activities the terms of culture, cultural awareness, historical culture, cultural identity and their importance for promoting common European values.

Tuesday

Venue: TBC – Hotel conference room in Paphos city

Introduction to the cultural, social and historical heritage of Cyprus and getting to know the island’s map. Cy-Around will give all participants a virtual tour of the island of Cyprus before exploring the rich historical area of Paphos: the ‘Tombs of the Kinds’, ‘Paphos Castle’, visiting ‘Adonis Baths Water Falls’, ‘Aphrodite Baths’ and reaching out to the Natural Park of Akamas for a lifetime experience in the protected area. Through interactive activities, participants will explore the history of the area and the natural beauty of the park while learning about the turtles’ protection plan, Cyprus national symbol and flower ‘kiklamino’ etc.

Accommodation: Limassol City (TBC)

Wednesday

Venue: TBC – Hotel conference room in Limassol city

Discovery of the most vibrant city of Cyprus, Limassol and its surrounding wine villages through the eyes of the locals. Investigation of how urbanisation has affected its character, how the national port attracted foreign business and how multi-culturalism influenced native young people. Reflection on the ‘going back to our roots’ initiative that led a number of people to move to rural areas. Exploration of the wine routes of Limassol district, before learning about the vine growing and wine producing expertise of the locals in the traditional village of Omodos. Comparison between the traditional/ancient way of pressing grapes with the modern one, trying your luck with grape picking, learning about the different types of wines, listening to the history of the oldest wine of Cyprus ‘Commandaria’ before tasting the local products. Exploring the traditional bakery and getting to know the historical and religious part of the village with the oldest monastery of the Holy Cross.

Thursday

Venue: TBC – Hotel conference room in Troodos mountains

Getting ready for a hiking experience in the traditional villages of the Troodos mountains, that will provide you with the opportunity to re-visit the old customs and habits of senior citizens. Learning about the value of an inter-cultural or political debate in the traditional ‘kafenio’ where democracy has its roots and experience the traditional ‘games’ bringing the two generations closer together. Discovering the green heart of Cyprus – Troodos mountains! Through a treasure hunt, you will explore the geology of the area and its natural beauties. Climb on the highest mountain and observe the landscape of the other side of the island while searching for ‘agrino’ the symbol of Cyprus (a rare wild sheep found only on the island of Cyprus).

Friday

Venue: Emphasys Centre

Exploring the only divided capital in the world, Nicosia and experience how the old and modern worlds are blending together creating unity and diversity. Meeting the local youth for a walking/ bike tour in the old city surrounded by the Venetian Walls, experience the division of the island, as well as the multi-cultural nature of the inner city. Getting to know about the flow of refugees, the issues of migration and integration in the local community while exploring the services provided to them through the European funding programmes. Tasting the Cypriot gastronomy through an outdoor practical activity that will introduce you to the secrets of Cypriot cuisine.
Now it’s time to explore what participants have learned so far from the Greek language.

Saturday

Venue: TBC – Hotel conference room in Ayia Napa

Exploring the west side of the island which is the most popular tourist zone with sandy beaches and crystal clear seawater. Visiting traditional small companies exploring natural herbs, producing local products and explore the ‘fishing’ market as sustainable employment. Experiencing the feeling of the ‘Ghost Town’ through the eyes of locals and reflecting on the principles of human rights, respect and democracy. Recap and conclusion of the course. Course evaluation and recommendations. Award of certificates to the participants and final practical arrangements.

Available Dates
  • 04/12/2023 - 09/12/2023
  • 15/07/2024 - 20/07/2024
  • 16/09/2024 - 21/09/2024

*The above dates can be flexible, whereas new ones can also be provided to accommodate the needs or availability of participants.

Target Group:  
Youth, Youth Workers, Adults
Language: English, Greek
Linguistic Support in Greek, French and Spanish
Country: Cyprus
Course Code: OCI01
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