BEIJING, 14
August 2008 - The President of the Republic of Cyprus,
Dimitris Christofias invited Chinese schoolchildren to
visit Nicosia during the XIII Games of the Small States
of Europe CYPRUS 2009, next summer.
The President, who is in
China for the 2008 Olympic Games, was
visiting the Zhongguancun No. 4 Primary School as part
of the Olympic Education "Heart-to-Heart" Programme.
Under the programme, more than 200 primary and secondary
schools in Beijing have partnered with 205 members of
the International Olympic Committee in an attempt to
promote the Olympic Spirit, deepen mutual understanding
and strengthen the friendship between the children of
China and across the world.
President Christofias was
accompanied on his visit by the Minister of Education
and Culture Andreas Demetriou, the Government Spokesman
Stephanos Stephanou, the Ambassador of Cyprus in Beijing
Marios Ieronimides, the Director of his Office Vasos
Georgiou, the president of the Cyprus Olympic Committee
Kikis N. Lazarides, the General Secretary of the Cyprus
Olympic Committee Andreas Stavrou and several members of
the Cyprus delegation at the Beijing Games.
After writing the word
'Peace' in Chinese calligraphy and enjoying a game of
table tennis with the pupils, President Christofias
attended a cultural programme with dancing and martial
arts presented by the schoolchildren.
The President also
exchanged gifts with the headmistress, presenting her
with a silver miniature of the Kyrenia Ship. "This is an
ancient and historical ship, discovered near my
village," said President Christofias. "That's why I feel
like I'm giving you a piece of my heart."
President Christofias also
spoke to the pupils: "This is our best day in Beijing. I
am amongst children. We are amongst the future. The
slogan of the Olympic Games is 'One World, One Dream'
and the dream is the children themselves. The dream of
Cypriot children is to see their homeland, now under
occupation, free again."
The President of the Cyprus
Olympic Committee, Kikis N. Lazarides expressed his
satisfaction for the success of the 'Heart-to-Heart'
programme and pointed out that the Games of the Small
States of Europe CYPRUS 2009 will be an excellent chance
to implement the proposals of President Christofias and
to seek more ways to further promote the Olympic Spirit.
The Zhongguancun No. 4
Primary School is located in the heart of China's
Silicon Valley Zhongguancun in the Haidan district of
Beijing.
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The President of
the Republic of Cyprus, Dimitris Christofias,
with pupils of the Zhongguancun No. 4 Primary
School |
The President of
the Republic of Cyprus, Dimitris Christofias,
enjoys a game of table tennis at the
Zhongguancun No. 4 Primary School |
Pupils of the
Zhongguancun No. 4 Primary School wave flags of
Cyprus |
The President of
the Republic of Cyprus, Dimitris Christofias,
exchanges gifts with the headmistress of the
Zhongguancun No. 4 Primary School |
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Pupils of the
Zhongguancun No. 4 Primary School |
The President of
the Republic of Cyprus, Dimitris Christofias,
addresses the pupils of the Zhongguancun No. 4
Primary School |
The President of
the Republic of Cyprus, Dimitris Christofias,
tries his hand at Chinese calligraphy at the
Zhongguancun No. 4 Primary School |
The President of
the Republic of Cyprus, Dimitris Christofias,
and the President of the Cyprus Olympic
Committee, Kikis N. Lazarides, arrive at the
Zhongguancun No. 4 Primary School |
