Limassol has long been reputed to be a Russian city with some 23,000-30,000 Russians and people from former Soviet republics living here. But there was no centre to bring them together. Now they have such a place. Russian and Cypriot entrepreneurs, Russian schoolchildren and their parents, public figures and clerics, members of mass media attended the opening ceremony. Metropolitan Athanasios of Limassol consecrated the House.

Haris Trasu, president of the Cyprus-Russian Friendship Society, expressed hope that the House “will facilitate further development of relations between our people”.

Russian House Executive Director Roman Vavilov said the project would not have been possible without the support of the Limassol Mayor’s Office, the church and entrepreneurs in both countries.

The House plans to organise events not only for Russians but also for Cypriots. It will offer Russian languages course, set up art exhibitions and organise roundtable discussions with politicians and journalists. “We will pay a great deal of attention to information work to support Russia’s positive image in Cyprus, to the promotion of Russian-Cypriot economic ties and to presentations of Russian regions,” Vavilov said.

Source: Voice of Russia