CYPRUS: Cyprus celebrated its entry into the EU with 32 hours of folk, pop and classical music, street festivals, and exhibitions. The main events were held at Eleftheria (Freedom) Square opposite d'Avila bastion in the 16th century wall of the old city.
Flags of all 25 members of the EU hung limply over the heads of Greek and Turkish Cypriots who thronged to the capital from all over the island to take part in the festivities. Traditional songs and dances performed by a variety of local groups kicked off the programme on Friday afternoon.
This was followed by a concert by a range of singers and combos, including Turkish Cypriot and Armenian artists. As the midnight hour drew near, the island's most famous singer, Ms Anna Vissi, sang some of her most beloved hits, while at an auditorium within walking distance, RTÉ's Vanbrugh String Quartet played Haydn, Beethoven and six marches by Irish composer Gerald Barry.
The crowd was addressed by Nicosia's mayor, Mr Michalis Zembelas, the head of the Delegation of the European Commission, Mr Adriaan van der Meer, and the Irish ambassador, Mr John Swift, on behalf of the presidency. Cyprus' president, Mr Tassos Papadopoulos, pledged to continue the search for a "functional and viable" framework for reunification and pledged that the benefits of EU membership would be shared with Turkish Cypriots. "Our great joy ... is overshadowed by our grief because we could not celebrate this moment with our Turkish Cypriot compatriots" in a united Cyprus.
Saturday was geared for children, beginning with youth choirs and orchestras.
Some 200 children painted a mural depicting the island's EU accession on strips of paper laid on the cobblestones of Ledra Street, a main artery of the Old City, known during Cyprus' anti-colonial struggle as "Murder Mile". Actors clad in weird and wonderful medieval costumes strode shakily by on stilts. At one o'clock, hundreds of children released thousands of white balloons into the soft blue sky. The marathon concluded with another night of music and dance featuring acts from six EU members, including Ireland.