‘KAMPOS SAKURA PARK’ PLANTING CEREMONY (April 9, 2022)

On Saturday, April 9, 2022 the Embassy of Japan in Cyprus and the Community Council of Kampos co-organized the first (informal) ceremony of planting of Japanese cherry blossom (Sakura) saplings as the first step of the 2-year project which will lead to the establishment of the “Kampos Sakura Park”.  

During the first year of the project, a total of 26 saplings of Prunus serrulata “Kanzan” and Prunus serrulata “Shiro-fugen” will be planted in the 1/2 of an approximate area of 3,000 square meters at the village center of Kampos.  

The ceremony took place at Kampos in the presence of Ambassador Seki, the President of the Community Council of Kampos Mr. Soteris Antoniou, state officials, guest of honor and supporters of the project.  

During her remarks, the Ambassador of Japan noted that it has been “my dream to create a “Sakura Park” in Cyprus since I was appointed as the Japanese Ambassador to the Republic of Cyprus.” She added that the year 2022 marks 60 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Cyprus and Japan and that the “initiation of creating the “Kampos Sakura Park” commemorates and symbolizes the ever-lasting friendship between Japan and Cyprus.” The Ambassador expressed the wish to see the Sakura which in Japanese culture “symbolize the Spring, revitalization, the hope and nature of life” to blossom and to have an official planting ceremony to take place when Kampos village celebrates the Cherry Festival in June. 

From his side, the President of the Community Council of Kampos, Mr. Soteris Antoniou, said that Kampos was selected as the most suitable place to plant the Sakura due to the weather conditions prevailing in the village. In addition, he underlined that the intention of the Embassy was to start the first phase of the park early in 2022, so that on the occasion of the annual cherry festival that will follow in the village to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Cyprus – Japan diplomatic relations. As he noted, also, “for our part, with this step we anticipate a lot in the development of a fraternal relationship with the friendly people of distant Japan.” 

In their remarks, the representatives from the Department of Forests of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs praised the project as a symbol of Cyprus - Japan friendship as well as for its contribution to the sustainable development of the region. 

Τhe implementation of the Sakura Park project was contributed by the village of Kampos for the preparation of the land, while the saplings are provided by the Embassy of Japan, MUFG Investor Services FinTech Limited, and Cyprus Japan Friendship Association 2021, with the advisory support of the Japan Sakura Association, Mr. Ioannis Papadopoulos (Department of Forests) and Mr. Yiannos Orphanos (Dentros Ltd.) 

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_o3l6tlv9Q