If you enjoy listening to music in a stunning location you may want to book a ticket for Friday’s event. Popular soprano Tina Chester promises an evening of music in a magical setting, on the hillside in front of the old monastery in Kallepia, Paphos. Not only that, the audience can also enjoy a full buffet meal during the evening included in the price and support a good cause, as all proceeds will be donated to the Peyia Animal Rescue Club.

Tina Chester is no stranger to Cyprus, having performed at numerous ventures across the island during the past years. This time she will entertain her audience with familiar arias and songs from the worlds of opera, musicals, popular classical cross-over and light jazz.

The soprano hails from north-west England, where she studied classical and performance techniques with various teachers. As well as being a success at musical festivals Tina has performed at weddings, corporate functions, in operatic and theatre productions and guest appearances at concerts. Her main influences have been sopranos Natalie Dessay, Sumi Jo, and cross-over singers such as Katherine Jenkins and Sarah Brightman.

Fusion of Opera, Classical, Cross-Over and Show Tunes
August 26. G&Ts, Monasteroui On The Hill Restaurant, Kallepia, Paphos.7pm until 11pm. €20 including full buffet meal. Tickets: Restaurant 26-642727 or 96-579144 or from Hearns Bookstore, Peyia. For more information 99-248182, tina.opera@icloud.com

Moonriver Swing & Jazz, what does this remind you of? A river basked in moon light with romantic music, maybe? American music from the 1920s and 1930s, the king of swing, Frank Sinatra, with his hits like ‘Fly me to the moon’ and ‘It’s only a paper moon’? Dean Martin’s ‘This time I’m swingin!’ ? Or simply the song ‘Moonriver’?

If your answer to any of these questions is yes you have got an idea on what this Sunday’s live performance in Paphos will be like. The setting for a night of swing and jazz music is not a river but a restaurant in Chlorakas, but the music is performed by a band called Moonriver Swing and Jazz band, who are playing cover hits from Sinatra, Dean Martin, Bobby Darin, Matt Monro, Andy Williams and Al Martino this coming Sunday.

And while you are listening, there will be a full bar available, so do book early if you are interested.

The band is comprised of four men, Nicholas Lambrou (drums), Ivan Sarbash (Sax), Renad Noumanchine (piano) and Michael Antoniou (vocals).

The performance is in support of the Alzheimer’s association of Paphos.

Live performance by Moonriver Swing & Jazz band

August 28. Pentaras Restaurant, Chlorakas, Paphos. 7pm until late. €10. Tel for tickets: 99-854375, for the restaurant 99-416224

PAPHOS firefighters battled into the night to keep a blaze under control in the inaccessible area of Panayia of Sintis, where by 10.30 pm on Friday five hectares of dry grass, wild vegetation, olive and pine trees had been destroyed.

Police reported that the fire was finally under control late in the night.

The fire service was made aware of the fire at 7.35pm and responded by sending a total of five fire engines from their Paphos, Kelokedaron and Stroumbi stations, with the community council of Amargetis contributing with their own fire fighting vehicle. The Game Fund responded with two mobile units and the Forestry department also sent a fire engine. A privately owned bulldozer was also being used.

The inaccessibility of the area coupled with the time of day made the task more difficult as planes and helicopters could not be mobilised at night.

The fire service on Saturday was investigating the causes of a fire that broke out in Paphos on Friday evening, after it emerged that it could have been set deliberately.

The blaze in the Panagia tou Sinti area, near Pentalia, appeared to have started in three to four places, reports said.

Fire fighters scrambled to the area after being notified of the fire at 7.35pm.

Five engines were dispatched from three stations, while four more fire fighting vehicles from the village of Amargeti, the Game Fund, and the forestry department also assisted.

The fire destroyed six hectares of wild shrub, dry grass, pine and olive trees.

The work of the fire fighting forces was hindered by the rough terrain but the blaze was eventually brought under control at around 11pm.

Forces remained on the scene as a precaution.

Paphos police are investigating a case of car arson that occurred in the early hours of Tuesday.

According to police, at 3.15 am the fire service in Paphos received message of an incident at a car-repair shop on Nicolaou Ellina Street. The fire had destroyed a Suzuki vehicle and damaged an adjacent Peugeot.

Firemen also found that a thirds vehicle had been covered with flammable material.

The premises is owned by a Syrian permanent resident. The third vehicle belonged to him and the others to customers.

A 23-year-old woman in Paphos complained to police that she was indecently assaulted by a man as she was walking along a road on Monday night.

According to police, the British Cypriot woman, a resident of the town, said she was walking along Dikomo road around 8.15pm when a young man approached her, grabbed her violently and tried to kiss her.

When she began to scream for help and push him away he fled.

The woman was treated at Paphos hospital for scratches on her shoulder and chest.

Police are trying to identify the perpetrator.

The popular opera Don Giovanni opened the ‘Pafos Aphrodite Festival’ on Friday night and will run for the weekend, giving the opportunity to members of the public to enjoy Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s masterpiece.

The venue of the festival is the Paphos medieval castle, “an emblematic monument” of the town’s heritage, mayor Phedonas Phedonos said.

This year, Don Giovanni, an opera in two acts with music by W.A. Mozart and Italian libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte, was chosen to be presented at the 18th edition of the festival.

Opera lovers will be able to watch the play – performed in co-production with Parma Opera Organization C.E.F.A.C. with the participation of the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra – this Saturday and Sunday at the square of the medieval castle.

The plot takes place in Seville, Spain, in the 17th century and narrates the erotic adventures of the libertine Spanish nobleman Don Giovanni who insults and scandalizes everyone until he encounters something he cannot kill, beat up, dodge, or outwit.  In one of his adventures he attempts to rape Donna Anna. While trying to escape, he kills her father, who then returns from the dead to take his vengeance. Since Don Giovanni does not repent for his actions he is lead to hell.

Ticket prices are as following: €25, €40, €50 and €70. For more information, contact the offices of the Pafos Aphrodite Festival at 26 822218 or visit: www.pafc.com.cy

There will be a simultaneous translation in Greek and English via subtitles.

The car of a 23-year-old was set alight outside a nightclub in Paphos in the early hours of Sunday, police said.

The fire service was mobilised at 3.40am to extinguish the blaze but staff from the nightclub and customers had managed to put it out by the time they arrived.

Subsequent investigations showed the fire was malicious. It badly damaged the car including the dashboard and passenger seat.

A 27-year-old was later arrested, who when interrogated, made some allegations against the car owner that police are investigating.

Jewellery and tobacco products of unknown value were stolen from a mini market in Paphos on Sunday night.

Between 11.58pm and 2.20am perpetrators gained entry to the building in the coastal Poseidon Avenue in Kato Paphos by forcing the aluminium entrance door open with a sharp object.

On the premises a CCTV system was installed which is being examined. Police also seized various objects from the scene to help them identify the burglars.

AUDITOR-general Odysseas Michaelides will hand over to the attorney-general information collected by his office about irregularities at the Paphos Antiquities Department.

According to the Cyprus News Agency, the evidence collected by the audit service appears to implicate at least one employee.

Michaelides told the agency that it was up to the AG to decide “whether, based on the information, the case should be referred to the police for a criminal investigation.”

Last week, the audit service carried out two surprise inspections in Paphos, following reports about inadequate storage procedures for antiquities found during the course of excavations, as well as possible wrongdoing in relation to proceeds from ticket sales at archaeological sites.

He told CNA on Thursday that the “collection and processing of information collected during the recent inspections” has been completed.

“What can be said now is that the need has been confirmed to inform the AG about the part of the report regarding irregularities in relation with the proceeds from visitors,” he said.

He said evidence has been collected against at least one employee, which will be put before the AG.

Measures will also be proposed to address the weaknesses detected; job rotation, introduction of procedures to ensure schedule compliance and presence at workplace, security cameras, and so on.

Michaelides said weaknesses were also spotted in the safekeeping procedures, both at archaeological sites and the storage of artefacts.

The auditor said the antiquities department was making efforts, with the help of the police, to protect sites from looters, especially in Paphos and Limassol, where they were particularly active.

Recommendations will also be made in relation with storage, he said. Weaknesses appeared to be bigger in smaller museums, like the one at Kouklia.

Michaelides said the antiquities department has already put measures in place, like transporting high value artefacts to the museum in Nicosia.

“It must be said though, that securing additional storage space is absolutely necessary.”

In August, Paphos Mayor Phedonas Phedonos claimed organised criminal gangs from Limassol were primarily responsible for all the antiquities being looted and sold.

He even suggested that prominent Limassol families had bank safety deposit boxes full of these artefacts.

Phedonos claimed that of the around 20,000 ancient artefacts stored in the Paphos museum basement, only 5,000 have been catalogued and digitised in the last seven years.

Paphos court Friday remanded two men in connection with an assortment of offences after stopping a car in the industrial estate of the city in the early hours of Thursday following a tip-off.

Police say the they are investigating the offences of conspiracy to commit a crime, burglary, theft, car and motorcycle theft, car arson, illegal possession of drugs, burglary tools and offensive weapons and the carrying of a knife.

Around 2.20am, following information received that a car was seen moving around in a suspicious manner, police made their way to the estate and on arrival saw a large motorcycle leaving the area. A car spotted in the vicinity with two persons in it was stopped for a check.

The two alighted from the vehicle and attempted, using the cover of night, to make a run for it. Police chased them and managed to get hold of the driver who turned out to be a 23-year-old male Paphos district resident.

A search carried out in the car uncovered half a gramme of cannabis, a knife, two car keys, a small bag containing a hood and gloves, knuckle dusters and various tools which could be used for burglary.

The 23-year-old was arrested and held for questioning.

Further investigations carried out led to testimony being obtained against a 24-year-old Paphos resident in connection with the theft around a week earlier and subsequent setting on fire Wednesday, of a pick-up truck. A judicial warrant was secured and used to arrest and detain him.

The motorcycle seen leaving the scene was identified as stolen but later recovered and the rider is being sought.

The two suspects were brought before the court where remand orders of four and five days were issued for the 23 and 24-year-old respectively.

By Bejay Browne

THE owner of a popular bar in Coral Bay in Paphos is still coming to terms with the second arson attack on his premises in the space of just one year.

The fire, which was set at around 4.30am on Monday, September 5, caused a huge amount of damage to the bar/cafe interior, burning fixtures and fittings such as bar-stools, tables, chairs, cash registers, DJ equipment and other furnishings, as well as ruining the décor.

English Cypriot businessman Tony Theophanides opened Chalkie’s bar on the popular ‘strip’ in Coral Bay two years ago. On September 8, 2015, almost a year to the day of last week’s incident, the first arson attack took place.

He told the Sunday Mail that the latest attack had left him feeling numb and most concerned for his 14 staff, as it left them unable to work and earn a living.

Owner Tony Theophanides is determined to open as soonas possible despite the damage

“Last year we were very upset when the fire was set and this time I feel numb. It’s mindless and it didn’t work last time and it’s not going to work this time,” he said defiantly.

Theophanides said that the fire was set deliberately, at about 4.30am on Monday morning. The venue had been open on Sunday and had been busy all day. He left for home at around 2.30am.

CCTV surveillance cameras caught two men on camera before they angled them upwards. The footage has been handed over to police. The businessman said that the men then broke in via the fire exit to the side of the property.

“They broke in and rummaged behind the bar and took the till drawer which just had a few coins left in it.”

They then doused much of the interior with petrol.

“The fire services said that the culprits poured a lot of petrol inside, behind the bar, on the sofas, the pool table and the DJ box, before setting it alight. The internal cameras caught them and this is recorded straight to iCloud,” he said.

Paphos police spokesman Nicos Tsappis confirmed that a police investigation into the incident is ongoing although no arrests have yet been made.

He said that these types of arson attacks occur regularly islandwide and that in the last five years more than ten businesses and vehicles have been deliberately set alight in Paphos.

“Sometimes it can be difficult for the police to secure a conviction, but where business owners inform us of differences with other people, we can secure suspects and this makes our job less difficult,” he said.

He added that in such cases, police usually secure a conviction. The punishment is up to 14 years in prison.

The Paphos resident said that he had no idea as to the cost of the damage yet, but that it was substantial. He added that luckily no-one was hurt and businesses either side were not affected. He was reluctant to speculate as to who might be responsible in case if affected the police investigation.

“We are one of the most successful bars in Coral Bay and are busy both day and night. We have a good reputation and people love our breakfasts which is why we have so much repeat business.”

On Monday afternoon and evening, after dozens of customers arrived at the bar to express their support and shock, a determined Theophanides opened the surviving outside bar to customers.

“It was nice to see so many people all offering to help and do what they can, from clearing and cleaning and helping to rebuild. It was a real ‘blitz’ sort of feeling, in the face of adversity, you rally round to help your friends.”

Theophanides said that the insurance assessors have already visited the premises and that he and the staff are determined to open as soon as they can, hopefully by the end of the month.

“We are not going to let bullies beat us,” he said.

He also heaped praise on all of the authorities involved, including his insurance company and the police. He added that the fire services had been exceptional.

The business owner pointed out that stupid actions such as arson have wider ramifications for the entire area, which could also suffer.

“Coral Bay is a popular area with visitors and they like to visit the strip. These people don’t think how a burnt out businesses looks, it will make people, especially families, think twice about visiting the area. They wonder ‘What on earth goes on here’.”

Burglars stole 35,000 euros and gold jewellery worth around 100,000 euros from the home of a restaurant owner in Argaka in Paphos, it was reported on Sunday.

They appear to have gained access from an unsecured window in the home of the 54-year-old. The money and valuables were in a safe in the laundry room of the house.

Police visited the scene and collected evidence. They cautioned homeowners that it was up to them to secure their valuables.

The 11th Cyprus International film festival (CYIFF) gets underway in Paphos on Wednesday and will run until September 25.

The programme includes 100 short and feature films of recent production from 37 countries.

Festival Director Petra Terzi told the Cyprus Mail: “This is the third time that the festival has come to Paphos, but the first time the entire event has taken place here.”

Terzi said that the vision is to dedicate the festival to emerging international directors and that the standards are high.

“The idea is to establish Paphos as the home of the festival, it’s the ideal location as it’s close to the airport which is important for all of the guests.”

Terzi said that 2017 will be an important year for Paphos as it will hold the cultural capital title, adding that the festival will remain in the town for years to come.

She added that Cyprus was an ideal location for film directors, and has fantastic scenery.

She said of the screenings: “The detailed programme will satisfy the most demanding viewer and those wanting to live the magic of cinema through the fresh positive vision of the young artists from all over the world, who are competing for the Golden Aphrodite award.”

Acclaimed jury members include, producers Vivek Singhania from India and George F Roberson from the USA, award winning film director Wang Jingguang from China, as well as director of photography Bill Butler (Jaws, Rocky II, III, IV, Grease and the Godfather to name a few).

A number of parallel festival events will also take place, details of which are on the festival website.

The Golden Aphrodite Awards ceremony will be held in Technopolis 20 in Paphos on Sunday September 25 at 8pm with an artistic programme from the ballet school ‘In Shape’, and Latin and flamenco dancers Christina Kambanella, Jake Athanasiades and Maria Christodoulou. Entrance is free.

The Cyprus International Film Festival is held under the auspices of the municipality of Paphos.

Selected films will be shown at K-Cineplex in Kings Avenue Mall and the Amphitheatre at Neapolis University.

All film screenings are with free entrance to the public.

WWW. cyiff.cineartfestival.eu

A Paphos resident was remanded in custody for six days on Tuesday in connection with numerous burglaries over the past year.

The 51-year-old was arrested on Monday as part of an investigation into a series of burglaries and thefts that took place between 2015 and September this year.

Police said a search of the suspect’s flat found various electronic devices, mobile phones, and tools that could be used for break-ins.

Questioned by Paphos CID, the suspect admitted carrying out a number of burglaries.

A hearing in the trial of former Paphos mayor Savvas Vergas and three others over the sending of threatening text messages to various individuals was postponed on Wednesday after he did not appear in court due to an administrative errors related to his transfer from the Nicosia central prisons.

The next hearing is set for January 26, 2017. This is the fourth time the case was adjourned.

The other three defendants, Vergas’ former assistant Maria Solomonidou, her father Ilias Solomonides, and husband Constantinos Sifantos appeared before the Paphos district court but the hearing was adjourned due to the former mayor’s absence.

Vergas is serving a six-year jail term after confessing to taking bribes in another case.

According to the facts of the case, the threatening texts were sent in September 2014 to Vergas’ successor Phedonas Phedonos, then a municipal councillor, former acting municipal engineer Androulla Efthimiou, and journalist Costas Nanos – and Vergas.

The defendants are facing 11 charges, including conspiracy to commit a misdemeanour, written threats of murder, interfering with judicial proceedings, and sending threatening text messages.

All four have pleaded not guilty.

Paphos court Wednesday remanded a 23-year-old man for one day to facilitate investigations involving various offences.

Police secured the remand order in connection with the offences of conspiracy to commit a crime, burglary, theft, car and motorcycle theft, car arson, illegal possession of drugs, burglary tools and offensive weapons and the carrying of a knife.

The man was sought after the arrest last Friday of two others in the industrial area of the city following information of suspicious movements by a car in the area.

Police who made their way there at 2.20am saw a large motorcycle leaving the area and stopped a car with two people in it, in order to carry out a search.

The two jumped out the car and attempted to run away. Police managed to catch the driver and a search of the vehicle uncovered half a gramme of cannabis, a knife, two car keys, a small bag containing a hood and gloves, knuckle dusters and various tools which could be used for burglary.

The 23-year-old driver was arrested and held for questioning leading to testimony being obtained against a 24-year-old, who was later arrested in connection with the theft around a week earlier and subsequent setting on fire last Wednesday, of a pick-up truck.

The motorcycle seen leaving the scene was identified as stolen but was later recovered. The rider is believed to be the man arrested Wednesday.

To have survived in the restaurant business for 25 years and still be maintaining a top notch standard means the Mavromatis family behind Cavallini in Paphos really do know the secret to success. Akis Mavromatis is the ever welcoming front of house man and in the kitchen reigns his brother Christos.

Of course folk come here to eat Italian food chosen from a menu which stands as a veritable hymn book to classic, comforting Italian dishes. My friend and I kicked off the meal with a starter of black mussels steamed in white wine, with a rocket salad with generous slivers of parmesan. For the main course I plumped for the pan fried prawns with creamy pesto sauce accompanied by a side dish of light as air plain spaghetti, while my friend tried what he considers is the ultimate test for a genuine Italian eatery and that was the risotto with mixed sea food – here chef passed the test with flying colours. This is indeed food made by someone who still gives a damn even after 25 years and it’s well reflected on the plate.

The clientele is also interesting with Akis greeting Cypriot families, young couples, holiday makers, with all relishing in summer the rather splendid outdoor area with its feeling of seclusion, its snowfields of white linen and clean lines and importantly very comfortable chairs, for this is a place where you will want to stay for the entire evening, comfortable in the knowledge that when you leave your nether regions will not have entirely seized up.

The menu offers 15 different pasta dishes, both hot and cold, for starters and another 15 as main course so 30 pasta dishes manages to cover quite a range from linguini, fettuccine lasagne, to ravioli with the pasta all supplied by a local top quality pasta maker. For meat lovers there is everything from veal steaks, beef fillet, rack of lamb, and pork. Flash fried lamb’s liver with sage and onions in a white wine sauce is a top favourite with locals and after that it is the creamy risotto and a close runner up has to be ravioli with spinach and ricotta served with fresh cream.

The dessert menu offers those with a sweet tooth a true cornucopia of tasty delights and we ended the meal with a marvellous chilled creamy mousse of dark and white chocolate and a vanilla crème brulee with Grand Marnier.

I defy anyone who likes puddings not to be picking up the spoon to hover hopefully over a companion’s dessert, for this is certainly the place for a bit of sharing.

This is not a trattoria, it is a restaurant and as such the prices are a good bit higher but if it’s quality and good cooking, excellent waiting staff and dining in a lovely calm rather safe environment you are after then I suggest you get completely wrapped up in the delights on offer at Cavallini.

VITAL STATISTICS

SPECIALTY Italian classics

WHERE Cavallini, Poseidonos Avenue, Paphos

CONTACT 26 964164

PRICE €20 plus per head

A man from Episkopi, aged 37, was arrested in Paphos in the early hours of Sunday for drunk and disorderly behaviour, and for carrying knives.
Police were alerted to a disturbance at around 3.30am in the village of Konia and found the man in a state of drunkenness and causing a fuss. A body search revealed two knives. He was arrested and taken to the local police station for questioning.

Paphos police are investigating an alleged case of assault against a 53-year-old man who said he was hit by a 23-year-old at a hotel in Latchi.

According to police, the 53-year-old from Paphos was working at the hotel when another man aged 23 from Limassol asked him if he could give him a ride to Polis.

When the older man refused, the younger one allegedly hit him, and when the 53-year-old called the police, the 23-year-old allegedly threatened to hit him again unless he withdrew the complaint. He then took off and is being sought by police.