The festival will take place on the weekend of 13-14 May 2023 and people of all ages will have the opportunity to participate in unique activities, such as bird ringing demonstrations, birdwatching, fun educational games and crafts for families, hiking, basketry workshops, etc., at various locations in Akrotiri Peninsula.
Through the festival activities, we will learn more about the rich natural and cultural heritage of Akrotiri Peninsula and experience the beauty of the area. The festival and its activities are open to the public and free of charge. For more information as well as the festival’s full programme please visit https://visitakrotiri.cy/plan-your-visit/festivals/. Due to limited spaces, some of the activities require pre-registration.
Akrotiri peninsula hosts the largest complex of natural wetlands in Cyprus, it is recognized and designated for its biodiversity importance and is arguably the most important area for birds in Cyprus. Additionally, Akrotiri Peninsula is an area with a rich history and culture dating back to ancient times.
The festival is organised within the framework of Darwin Plus Project: DPLUS141: Habitat Restoration & Wise Use for Akrotiri & Cape Pyla. The 3-year Project (2021-2024) is funded by Darwin Plus in UK and aims to restore important wildlife habitats within the Cyprus SBAs, focusing on Akrotiri wetlands and native scrub on Cape Pyla, promote wise use of the area and at the same time develop eco-tourism opportunities to support local economy. The project partners are BirdLife Cyprus (leading role), Terra Cypria, the Cyprus Sovereign Base Areas Administration – Environment Department (SBAA ED) and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.
The Akrotiri Spring Festival is also supported by the Unit of Education for the Environment and the Sustainable Development and the Marine & Environmental Research (MER) Lab.