Kickoff

The CulturalCorners project officially launched with its first consortium meeting held on 19–20 June 2025 in the vibrant coastal city of Limassol, Cyprus. This inspiring two-day gathering brought together all project partners — Envolve Entrepreneurship (host and coordinator), the University of Lapland – Arctic Centre, and ASOFUER — to align on objectives, strengthen collaboration, and set the foundation for the creative work ahead.

 

A Productive Start: Setting the Stage for Impact

Day 1 of the meeting was held in the historic heart of Limassol, where the teams delved into the strategic aspects of the project. Discussions centered on:

-  Reviewing early project progress and defining roles and timelines

-  Advancing the development of Innovation Labs

and Training Programmes (Work Packages 2 & 3)

-  Clarifying communication, evaluation, and community engagement pathways

 

The sessions were marked by a spirit of openness, innovation, and shared purpose. It was evident that each partner brought a unique perspective — from entrepreneurship to Arctic cultural research to regional tourism expertise — making for a powerful, interdisciplinary alliance.

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Walking Through Stories: Exploring Limassol’s Cultural Fabric

 

Day 2 took a more experiential turn, embodying the essence of CulturalCorners — connecting people with place through shared heritage. The consortium embarked on a cultural walk through Limassol’s historic district, starting at the Old Castle of Limassol. Beneath its medieval stones, tales of crusaders, Richard Leopold’s adventures, empires, and trade whispered through the corridors, grounding the group in centuries of layered identity.

 

 

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Just a short stroll away, the group visited the Carob Mill Complex, a remarkable exampleof industrial heritage transformed into a cultural hub. Once a center for carob export, todayit stands as a symbol of adaptive reuse, now hosting exhibitions, restaurants, and events.The visit sparked lively conversations about how forgotten or overlooked urban corners canbe reborn as spaces of creativity and cultural dialogue — a true mirror of the CulturalCorners ethos.

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Later, the walk led to the elegant Rialto Theatre, a beacon of artistic life in Limassol since 1930. Touring the stage and backstage areas, partners reflected on the role of performance, storytelling, and communal spaces in strengthening local identity and intercultural understanding.

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Looking Ahead

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​With the first consortium meeting successfully completed, the CulturalCorners team is moving forward with a clear roadmap and strong collaboration between partners. The insights gained during both the working sessions and cultural visits in Limassol will inform the next steps of the project — particularly the development of the Innovation Labs and Training Programmes. Partners are now focused on implementing the upcoming deliverables and engaging local communities in each participating region.


July 2025, Michael Mandamadiotis