The Christmas Village at the presidential palace grounds opened to the public on Saturday, featuring over 60 small businesses offering handicrafts and traditional products.

The event, running for the weekend, aims to support local small businesses and provide new opportunities for entrepreneurs, First Lady Philipa Karsera Christodoulides said.

All the businesses are registered on lists of small businesses that the deputy tourism ministry and commerce ministry are aware of, she specified.

“There was an open invitation and we’re delighted because there’s more than 60 businesses here today.”

Head of the Press Information Office Aliki Stylianou said the message which ought to be sent out is that “Christmas this year is Cypriot, with the purchase of Cypriot products, to support Cypriot crafts at great prices and to support young Cypriots that want to create their own crafts.”

The first lady added that the presidency has now begun using Cypriot products for official gifts and events.

Deputy Tourism Minister Costas Koumis highlighted the broader benefits of initiatives like Christmas villages, describing them as an “institution” that has been running for four years.

“These events generate multiple benefits for tourism by increasing overnight stays in participating communities, boosting foot traffic and encouraging spending,” he said. “We are assessing similar initiatives, which will be announced at the appropriate time.”

Deputy Minister of Innovation Nicodemos Damianou, Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades, Father Christmas and Deputy Tourism Minister Costas Koumis at the presidential palace

He underlined the two-day event at the Presidential palace at the first lady’s initiative “has been positively received by the small artisans, creators from across the country and our compatriots.”

The deputy minister added it has become obvious that people seek out opportunities to visit iconic buildings in the country.

“For us, it is very important that these opportunities are given to the small artisans as well, but it is also very important that citizens have opportunities to visit the country’s iconic buildings and create positive memories for themselves and their families.”

The first lady also highlighted collaboration with the agriculture ministry as part of efforts to make the presidential palace more environmentally sustainable.

The Christmas village at the presidential palace will be open to the public until 6pm this Sunday.