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Büyükkonuk Eco-tourism Association

OUR VISION

The primary goal of the Büyükkonuk Eco-tourism Association is to promote sustainable rural development and protect the Cypriot village lifestyle, culture and traditions through the promotion of eco-tourism.

OBJECTIVES

  • Preservation of Cyprus’ rich cultural, historical and natural heritage.
  • Support of the Büyükkonuk (Komi-Kebir) village’s efforts to promote environmental sustainability.
  • Support for eco-tourism initiatives including the organization of training events to raise the public’s awareness of Büyükkonuk village and the Karpaz region.
  • Organize festivals, trainings and events to raise the awareness of the Karpaz region’s natural beauty, culture, and history
  • Promote the creation of marketable home-made products by the residents of Büyükkonuk. .
  • Facilitate social and cultural integration within the Büyükkonuk village as well as collaboration between Büyükkonuk village residents and the Karpaz community.
  • Develop a promotional campaign based on the village’s natural assets; its flora, fauna, history, culture and cuisine.



Founded in 2005, the Eco-tourism Association now has an office in the village and many active members, most of them women. The activities of the Association include:
  • bi-annual Eco-Day festivals, where music, folk-dancing, village theatre, donkey rides and many other activities compliment the stands selling local traditional foods and crafts make a fun day out for the whole family.
  • Sunday markets, where every Sunday throughout the year the members have stalls selling a good selection of pastries, breads, kebabs and drinks as well as farmer’s produce like fresh eggs, vegetables, olive oil, wine and other specialty products.
  • Ladies folk dancing group, where the mature women members get training in basic folk-dancing so they can add to the variety, colour and action at the festivals and other events, empowering women with self confidence to make them proud and responsible for preservation of their culture.
  • Training of members and other villagers in areas like ecological awareness, sustainable living, fundraising, small business management and other topics that strengthen them as members of a civil society.



 

Copyright 2008 Büyükkonuk Eco-tourism Association. All Rights Reserved.


This publication has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of Büyükkonuk Eco-tourism Association can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.