The Municipality of Paralimni-Deryneia is organizing the 4th Conference "Paralimni – History and Culture," which will be held in the Event Hall of the Paralimni Town Hall, bringing together scientists, researchers, and scholars of the history and folklore of the region.
The conference is now an established institution for recording, studying, and promoting the rich historical and cultural heritage of Paralimni and the wider area of the free province of Famagusta.
During the conference, presentations will be given on ancient history, modern history with particular reference to the events of 1974, and the folklore traditions of the region, offering a multifaceted scientific approach to local history.
At the same time, as part of the event, there will be a tribute ceremony dedicated to personalities who have contributed to the historical and intellectual life of the region, recognizing their timeless contribution to the preservation of collective memory.
The conference is organized by the Municipality of Paralimni-Deryneia, with the aim of strengthening historical knowledge, promoting the cultural identity of the area, and creating a lively space for scientific dialogue on the history and culture of the region.
Detailed program of the 4th Conference "Paralimni – History and Culture"
Saturday, March 21, 2026
09:00 – 09:30
Arrival – Registration of participants
09:30 – 10:00
- Mayor of Paralimni - Deryneia
- His Eminence Metropolitan of Constantia – Ammochostos
- Minister of Education, Sports, and Youth
Tribute to Dr. George Georgis and +Spartiatis Nikolettos
SECTION
Ancient History – Part A
Chair: Andreas Oikonomou
10:00 – 10:15
"In Paralimni during the Stone Age"
Dr. Angelos Smagas, Secondary School Teacher of Greek Language and Literature, Archaeologist
Dimitris Kyriakou, former Secondary School Teacher of Greek Language and Literature, Archaeologist
10:15 – 10:30
"Paralimni during the period of the Kingdom of Salamis"
Dr. Anna Satraki, Archaeological Officer, Department of Antiquities
10:30 – 10:45
“The Excavations at Panagiotissa and Their Historical Context”
Polina Christofi, Archaeological Officer, Department of Antiquities
10:45 – 11:05
Discussion – Questions
SECTION
Modern History (1974) – Part A
Chair: Andreas Papafilipou
11:05 – 11:20
"Social life in Paralimni in 1974"
Andreas Evangelou, Assistant Commissioner of the Cyprus Agricultural Payments Organisation, former Mayor of Paralimni, Economist
Andreas Oikonomou, Architect, former Deputy Mayor of Paralimni
11:20 – 11:35
“Secondary Education in Paralimni during the 1974–1975 school year”
Irini Skitsa Hatzagathangelou, Philologist, former Assistant Director of Secondary Schools
11:35 – 11:55
Discussion – Questions
11:55 – 12:15
Break
SECTION
Folklore – Part A
Chair: Angelos Smagas
12:15 – 12:30
"The iconography of Saint George in Paralimni"
Dr Christodoulos Hatzichristodoulou, Curator of the Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation
12:30 – 12:45
"T' Aigiorkou tzai tis Lambris" (The Feast of Saint George and the Resurrection)
Dr Christina Kakkoura, Director of the Cultural Academy "Agios Epiphanios", Holy Metropolis of Constantia and Ammochostos
12:45 – 13:00
"Folk traditions about Saint George in Cyprus and Paralimni"
Kostis Kokkinofta, Director of the Kykkos Monastery Study Center
1:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.
"The Alakati and the Orchard of Ai Giorgos"
Sergios Sergiou – Kerkoullas, Merchant Navy Captain
13:15 – 13:30
"The poetry collection 'Andrea Anthodesmi'by Konstantinos Efstathiou, from Paralimni, Famagusta, Cyprus (Limassol, 1899): An initial comprehensive presentation of this rare edition"
Petros Papapolyviou, Associate Professor of Modern and Contemporary History, Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Cyprus
1:30 p.m. – 1:50 p.m.
Discussion – Questions
13:50
End of First Day of Conference
Sunday, March 22, 2026
10:00 a.m.
Start of Day Two
SECTION
Ancient History – Folklore – Part II
Chair: Irini Skitsa Hatzagathangelou
10:00 – 10:15
"Archaeological evidence for Paralimni during the Venetian occupation"
Dr. Nasa Patapiou, Poet, Historian – Researcher
10:15 – 10:30
"Paralimni in the first scientific cartographies of Cyprus (1953)"
Dr. Nicoletta Dimitriou, Ethnomusicologist, Director of the Cyprus Music Archive
10:30 – 10:50
Discussion – Questions
SECTION
Modern History (1974) – Part II
Chair: Andreas Evangelou
10:50 – 11:05
"The contribution of Paralimni residents to the defense of the Republic of Cyprus in 1974"
Charalambos Alexandrou, Assistant Professor of Cypriot Studies, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
George Potamos, President of the National Guard Veterans Association
11:05 – 11:20
"Captivity in 1974: the case of the Paralimni prisoners"
Dr Angelos Fias, Archivist, Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation ("Digital Herodotus")
11:20 – 11:35
"Experiential testimony of captivity"
Andreas Fanos, Businessman, Second Lieutenant (1974)
11:35 – 11:55
Discussion – Questions
11:55 – 12:15
Break
SECTION
Modern History (1974) – Part C
Chair: Despo Farakoni Efthymiu
12:15 – 12:30 p.m.
"Injured residents of Paralimni during the events of 1974"
Andreas Oikonomou, Architect, former Deputy Mayor of Paralimni
12:30 – 12:45
"The Fallen and Missing of Paralimni in 1974 according to the Municipality's archives"
Marinos Pavlikkas, Philologist, Head of the Cultural Service of the Municipality of Paralimni – Deryneia
12:45 – 13:00
"The line of confrontation in Paralimni – Deryneia in 1974"
Andreas Papafilipou, School Inspector, Physicist, former Director of Secondary Education
13:00 – 13:15
"The green line in Paralimni and Kokkinochoria"
Dr. Lambros Kaoullas, Director of the Office of the Deputy Minister of Migration and International Protection
1:15 p.m. – 1:35 p.m.
Discussion – Questions
13:35 – 14:00
Artistic event by TESEK Paralimniou
2:00 p.m.
End of Conference
