A collaborative event in Brussels spotlighted Commandaria, the world's oldest named wine, while EESC President Séamus Boland highly praised the outgoing Cyprus EU Presidency for its impressive delivery on critical European policy areas.

A Journey Through the History of Commandaria

European officials, among others, had the opportunity on Wednesday to learn about the history of Commandaria wine and Cypriot culture at an event held in Brussels. The event, entitled “Cypriot Nama: The story of Commandaria”, was organised through the collaboration of Cyprus’ Press and Information Office (PIO), the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), and the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Cyprus to the European Union.

According to a press release issued by the PIO, the event, held at the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) in Brussels, “offered a multifaceted introduction to Commandaria, highlighting its journey through the centuries and its position as an integral part of Cypriot tradition”. The audience “travelled” through the history of Commandaria with the help of excerpts from the PIO’s new production, “Cypriot Nama: The story of Commandaria”, directed by Stavros Pampallis, together with photographs by PIO photographer Andreas Loukaides. The event also highlighted Commandaria’s close connection with the land, the people and the traditions of Cyprus, as well as its international recognition as a symbol of Cypriot identity, it said.

Celebrating the 'Wine of Kings'

Welcoming the guests, EESC Vice-President, Alena Mastantuono, noted that this was the first large-scale cultural exhibition to be hosted on the Committee’s premises in Brussels within the framework of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union. She emphasised the significance of the initiative, noting that Commandaria, with a history spanning more than 3,000 years, is considered the world’s oldest named wine and is inextricably linked to Europe’s medieval heritage. She further stressed that culture and cultural heritage play a decisive role in understanding Europe’s shared history and in strengthening the European Union’s political message. Wine, as an element deeply woven into Europe’s social and cultural life, helps connect peoples and traditions, bringing them closer together. In this spirit, she noted, the EESC is the most appropriate and symbolic venue to host the exhibition.

In her speech, Director of the PIO, Aliki Stylianou, said that the “Cypriot Nama: Commandaria” exhibition celebrates far more than a wine. “It celebrates a remarkable cultural journey spanning thousands of years. A living heritage. One that has survived the rise and fall of kingdoms, the passage of empires and the shifting tides of history,” she noted. “Praised for its exceptional quality and unique character, Commandaria won what is often described as the world’s first recorded wine competition, immortalised in the mediaeval poem by minstrel Henri D’Andeli 'La Bataille des Vins', earning the title of 'Apostle of the Wines' as was recorded in 1224, thus cementing its status as the “Wine of the Kings,” she also said. Stylianou also noted that Commandaria is recognised today as a Protected Designation of Origin product of the European Union and is on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Guests had the opportunity to enjoy live music performed by the Michalis Kouloumis Quintet and culinary creations featuring Commandaria, offering “a comprehensive experience that brought together the history, culture and gastronomic traditions of Cyprus”, the press release said.

EESC: Cyprus EU Presidency “one of the best that there have been”

Séamus Boland, President of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), praised the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU, expressing the view that Cyprus “produced one of the best presidencies that there have been”. Speaking to journalists from Cyprus, who are in Brussels for the European Council, on the sidelines of the commandaria event, Boland said that the Cypriot Presidency gave the EESC 14 opinions, which the EESC is in the middle of delivering. These concern enlargement, competitiveness, education, housing, and energy connectivity, among other things, he said. Boland, an Irish national, said he was “impressed’ with the ways that Cyprus delivered the presidency and the objectives.

He said he has come to get to know Cyprus very well in the last two to three years, as he’s been there several times within the context of the EESC work and Cyprus’ EU Presidency, and that he would love to live in Cyprus. He also noted that halloumi was very popular in his household. He also said that Cyprus and Ireland have a lot in common as two small countries on the periphery of the EU and that housing is a major issue in both countries. Asked by a journalist about the main challenges to be faced in the next six months, as Ireland takes over the EU Presidency, Boland said housing and the cost of living will be major themes that Ireland is taking from where Cyprus ended, as well as energy and enlargement.

Source: CNA(ΚΥΠΕ)