Larnaca: where East meets West

“Larnaca has always been an intercultural hub between the West and the East,” say the organisers of an upcoming event that tours the town. “The existence of the port, the salt marshes, and the trade routes of the Eastern Mediterranean determined the historical development of the city of Zenon. Languages, religions, and ways of life were interwoven and created a social fabric that characterised and differentiated Larnaca from time immemorial.”

NGO Citizens in Power organise a very special day on June 3 with two guided walks around Larnaca’s buildings, history and people. The Walk a Mile in My Shoes 2.0 tours will take place both in Greek and in English following a very successful similar event last year.

The city tours highlighted the contribution of immigrants to the history and urban development of Larnaca since the 18th century.

“As a continuation of the first experience we had together,” add the organisers, a new series of tours will kick off on Saturday, telling the story of the city’s past through the intercultural coexistences in the former commercial centre of Skala, to see how people survived and flourished through their diversity.

“In the town of Larnaca all residents are equal, there are no foreigners,” they continue. “The tours will contribute to the historical awareness of the city and serve as a way of showing that no one should be considered as a foreigner in it.”

The tour in Greek will set off at 10.30am from Zouhouri square while the tour in English will take place at 6.30pm, leaving from the same location. Both walks will include the church of Agios Lazarus, Aphrodite Street, Turkomahalla, Big Tziami, Larnaca Castle and end at the starting point, Zouhouri Square. Lasting between an hour and an hour-and-a-half, the walks will be facilitated by Dr Iosif Hadjikyriakos. To register for the walks, fill in the forms found on the Facebook event (Walk a Mile in My Shoes 2.0).

Walk a Mile in My Shoes 2.0

Intercultural city tours. By Citizens in Power. June 3. 10.30am in Greek and 6.30pm in English. Meeting point: Zouhouri square, Larnaca. [email protected], [email protected]. Tel: 96-250200