Phini

Phini is one of the most picturesque villages in Cyprus and is built in a green environment in the Troodos Mountains at an average altitude of 920 meters, between steep slopes and high mountain peaks. The village is located 44 km northwest of the city of Limassol. It is connected in the northwest with the village of Agios Dimitrios, in the south with Kato Platres and in the east with Pano Platres. Much of its area is occupied by the forests of Troodos and Paphos. To the north of the village is the Monastery of Panagia Trooditissa and to the southwest is the church of Agioi Anargyroi which was a Monastery. The beauty and picturesqueness of the village is complemented by the waterfall of Phini, located in the green area of ​​"Chantara".
The morphology of the soil and the limited arable land forced the inhabitants of Phini to engage in various other works in order to survive. Thus, over time, Phini became known for its pottery, the manufacture of traditional furniture and the manufacture of the local delight named "Phiniotiko Loukoumi".
The local and traditional pottery is recognised as such and it is characterised as a "Cyprus Intangible Cultural Heritage" Activity from the Cyprus National Commission for UNESCO.

Country

Cyprus

Type

mountains, remote

Degree of urbanization

rural

population of 391

National Strategy for the Development of Troodos Mountain Communities

Village Solutions

Organising a National Annual Cultural Conference

The Phini Community Council has established since 2019 the organization of a National Annual Cultural Conference. Every year the Conference focuses on a distinctive topic.
In 2019, the topic of the 1st conference was focusing on “The Pottery of Yesterday and Today in Phini". In 2020, the topic of the 2nd conference was focused on “Phini, its Historical and Cultural Heritage, from ancient times to the present days”. In 2021 the topic of the 3rd conference was focused on “The Life and Continuation of the Presence of Youth in Mountainous Areas and Their Needs”.
On an average, more than 180 delegates are attending the Conferences, even though the Conferences of 2020 and 2021 took place under the restrictions for public health, because of the pandemic crisis.
Participants have the opportunity to pass through the exhibition and interactive kiosks in the surrounding area of the Conference, which always includes local products and activities, such as potters and other handicrafts, like the toned traditional chair and jewellery, as well as other local products, such as the famous local delight, named “Phiniotiko Loukomi”.
The Conferences give the opportunity to local people and young people to express their ideas and their dreams for the future, but they also give them the opportunity about the policies connected with the topic that each Conference is connected and the funding opportunities for investments in mountainous areas, agriculture, handicrafts, tourism services, basic services, cooperation opportunities etc.
Local and regional stakeholders are engaged with the organisation of the Conference. Community Councils of the area, schools, NGOs, Youth Bords, Church, expatriates, regional and national governmental bodies, Local Action Groups, the National Rural Network and many others.
The Phini Community Council is producing a magazine that includes “The Suggestions and Conclusions” of every Conference, which is disseminated to all relevant National Services, like Ministries, NGOs etc.
The main conclusions of the Conference organised in 2021, was the need to create those conditions that allow young people to live in mountainous areas, who do not want to leave them, but often have no choice. Indicatively, the improvement of opportunities and accessibility in education, health, work, satisfactory transport - transportation, entertainment and security were mentioned as basic needs. The suggestion of the 1st Conference (2019) concerning the establishment of a School of Pottery at the Omodos Secondary School was re-emphasized.

Living | People | Services

Contact Information

Phini Community Council, info-phinivillage@cytanet.com.cy

http://www.phinivillage.com/
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Organisation managing the strategy

COMMISSIONER FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES