Story of Cypriot God brought to life as part of speaking statues project

Visitors to the Kallinikio Municipal Museum of Athienou will be able to listen to the story of Cypriot Pan through his statue, in Greek, English or Russian, through the use of a mobile phone app.

Larnaca Tourism Development and Promotion Company (ETAP) official, Nana Asmeni-Pavlou on Tuesday told the Cyprus News Agency (CAN) that the Cypriot Pan is the new addition to the Larnaca Story Telling Statues, that began two years ago.

The Cypriot Pan is different from the Pan of Arcadia in Greece because he has the benefit of standing out wherever he goes and also to blend in with humans and their peculiarities.

The Cypriot Pan holds his instrument, the pan flute called syrinx which is made of reeds, along with his shepherd’s crook. He knows of life and good times and fun is his ‘art’. Lust and desires of the flesh are also familiar to him which is why he protects people.

According to Asmeni-Pavlou, the archaeological mission in the Malloura area, led by archaeology professor Dr Michalis Toumazou, located many sculptures of the Cypriot Pan, so they named him ‘pandemonium’. Dr Toumazou gave his voice to the English-speaking narration of the story.

The Larnaca Story Telling Statues recount stories in their ‘own’ words after a QR code on participating monuments is scanned to receive a call-back on smart devices.

It started with the philosopher Zenon of Kition. The founder of the Stoic school of Philosophy is honoured with three different statues dotted around Larnaca. Another statue is that of Apollonios Kitieas. The statue of the physician of the Empiric school of thought is found at the entry to the town centre. Michael Kashalos is also depicted, the self-taught artist/painter who began his career in his 70s. His statue is at the centre of Larnaca while the winged Lion of Venice’s statue is near the Medieval Castle, a gift from Venice to mark its twinning with Larnaca.

The ETAP official said the story telling statues are a success.

The initiative won a Gold award at the Cyprus Tourism Awards 2021. ETAP is always seeking to implement innovative actions, which can satisfy the needs of the modern traveller, with the ultimate goal being the enrichment of the tourist product of the city and district of Larnaca.

She also said that “this is an effort that is part of the wider digital upgrade implemented by the Larnaca ETAP, including the virtual museums and the three-dimensional virtual restorations of archaeological sites.

Last year there was a virtual restoration of the port of ancient Kition and this year the same will be done with the Neolithic settlement of Kalavasos and it is expected to be ready by the end of the year”, she added.