NICOSIA, 16 May 2009 -
The sun,
sea and nature of Cyprus will be the focal points at the
Opening Ceremony of the XIII Games of the Small States
of Europe, which will be enriched with the musical
tradition of the island. The Cultural Director of the
GSSE Ceremonies is Cypriot composer Vasos Argyrides. The
Opening Ceremony, set to begin at 21:00 hours on 1 June
at the GSP Sports Complex, will also feature the
world-renowned Greek tenor, Mario Frangoulis.
"We wish to
put the spotlight on the character and beauty of Cyprus
through our Ceremonies--especially the Opening
Ceremony," said Mr Argyrides. "The sun, the sea and the
youth of our island." Mr Argyrides added that the
concept of the programme is a simple one, as befits the
size of Cyprus and of the Games. "However, the message
that we want to put through is a strong one and has to
do with the thirst of the youth of this island for
knowledge and with the role that sports can play to
achieve this end."
The Opening
Ceremony will have three parts. The artistic programme
will be based on music written by Mr Argyrides himself,
taken from his latest album, which includes arrangements
on the traditional music of Cyprus. This first part will
centre on the theme of a traditional Greek nursery rhyme
referring to the secret underground schools operating
during Ottoman occupation and emphasing on the thirst
for knowledge by the youth of the time. The nursery
rhyme, the title of which freely translates to "My
Little Bright Moon" will be performed by a choir of 250
children in three languages during the Opening Ceremony
of the XIII GSSE.
More
children, part of the Cyprus Sports Organisation's
programme 'Sport for All' will also feature in the first
part of the Opening Ceremony.
The
ceremonial part will follow, with, amongst others, the
entrance of the participating teams and the oaths.
The Opening
Ceremony will conclude with a concert by Mr Frangoulis,
who will perform the official song of CYPRUS 2009, on
music by Mr Argyrides and lyrics by Babis Anagiotos.
DF/CD