A special art exhibition, filled with colour, strength and messages of hope, is being hosted by Hermes Airports at Larnaka Airport as part of Golden September, the month dedicated to raising awareness of childhood cancer. The “With a Golden Ribbon” exhibition, an initiative of the Pancyprian Parents and Friends Association of the Paediatric Oncology Unit and the “Mikroi Iroes” Foundation, in collaboration with Hermes Airports, was officially inaugurated on Monday, 21 September, by the Minister of Health, Neophytos Charalambides.
The inauguration included a symbolic Golden Ribbon cutting ceremony, with the Golden Ribbon serving as the international symbol of awareness and advocacy for childhood cancer. Children and their parents then had the opportunity to see their artwork displayed in a space visited every day by thousands of travellers from Cyprus and around the world.
Through the exhibition, the children’s creations are given a special platform for expression and communication, conveying messages of strength, creativity, hope and optimism to visitors.
Welcoming the initiative, Minister of Health Neophytos Charalambides, who thanked Hermes Airports for hosting the exhibition, noted: “Raising awareness about childhood cancer is a responsibility that concerns society. This is why the choice of venue for the exhibition is particularly meaningful. The airport brings the exhibition before a broad and diverse audience, including people who might otherwise not have had the opportunity to encounter it. At the heart of the exhibition are the children’s own creations. Each child decided what they wanted to paint and how they wanted to present it. Visitors will not see an exhibition that speaks only about illness. They will see the world through the eyes of the children themselves — what they thought, felt and chose to share with us.”
Maria Kouroupi, Director of Aviation Development, Marketing and Communication at Hermes Airports, welcoming guests to the event, said: “At Hermes Airports, we believe in the power of partnerships that create meaningful human impact. It is a great pleasure and honour for us that Larnaka Airport can provide a platform where these unique creations can connect with tens of thousands of people from Cyprus and around the world.”
Marilena Palazi, President of the Nicosia District Committee of the “Mikroi Iroes” Foundation, noted: “The exhibition takes place during Golden September, the month dedicated to raising awareness of childhood cancer. The Golden Ribbon is a symbol that brings us together around children and their families. Today, this Golden Ribbon becomes something more: it becomes a bridge connecting children, their art and all of us.”
Louiza Stefanidou, President of the Pancyprian Parents and Friends Association of the Paediatric Oncology Unit, highlighted the significance of Golden September and the exhibition, stressing that the children’s artwork gives voice to their thoughts, feelings and aspirations. “The ‘With a Golden Ribbon’ exhibition gives a voice to our children and reminds us that a child receiving treatment does not stop being a child — a child who wants and is able to create, participate, communicate and leave their own mark.”
The exhibition will remain on display in the Departures area of Larnaka Airport, giving thousands of travellers the opportunity to discover the children’s artwork and engage with the message of Golden September.
For Hermes Airports, hosting the exhibition forms part of its ongoing commitment to using its airports not only as places of travel and connectivity, but also as spaces that bring people closer to important social messages and meaningful initiatives.
