Nordic entrepreneurs and craftsmen, as well as Cypriot companies with a Nordic connection, will exhibit their products and services at a Nordic Trade Fair to take place in the southern coastal town of Limassol on 3-4 March. During the trade fair, there will also be lectures on Cypriot and Swedish history and the UN mission in Cyprus.
“The aim is to integrate the Nordic people living in Cyprus with the Cypriot society”, said President of the Swedish Association in Cyprus Ann Bergqvist Pattihis, during a press conference in Nicosia.
“The challenge is to make the Cypriots come and visit our fair and we hope that our highly qualified lecturers and interesting programme will achieve that”, she said. Among the main lecturers is Marie – Louise Winbladh, an expert on the archeology of Cyprus, who has made a prize – winning film on Cyprus’ artifacts and is a former curator of the Mediterranean Museum in Stockholm. She is also the author of several books about Cyprus. Her latest book was published last year and is called “Cyprus: Love, war and cult”. Her book “The Bearded Goddess” has just been translated into English and will be launched during the fair.
Another guest at the fair will be Anders Wahlegren, director, author and producer of the film “Vasa 1628: The people, the ship, the times”. Part one of his film will be screened at the fair at its first international premiere. UN Spokesperson in Cyprus Michel Bonnardeaux will also speak at the fair about the UN mission in Cyprus, its past and its present. Speaking at the press conference, Bonnardeaux referred to the participation of many Nordics in the UN mission here as soldiers or police officers.
Ambassador of Sweden to Cyprus Klas Gierow said that the trade fair is an opportunity for Cypriots and Nordic citizens to congregate and meet each other, adding that the Swedish Embassy will be present at the fair giving information material about Swedish society and studying in Sweden. Ambassador of Denmark in Nicosia Kirsten Geelan said the trade fair is a good opportunity to highlight Nordic cooperation and the impact that Nordic countries have had on Cyprus, especially on the Cyprus Peace Keeping Mission, which was the largest mission Denmark has ever participated. Ambassador of Finland to Cyprus Riita Resch stressed the big number of Finns who have participated in UN mission in Cyprus. She also talked about the large number of tourists from Finalnd who come every summer to Cyprus and the potential to develop winter tourism further to attract more Finnish tourists.