CyprusTODAY Volume LIII, No 2, April - June 2015
Contents
Editorial...... 2 18th Cyprus Contemporary Dance Festival...... 4 International Museum Day 2015...... 9 Cyprus Film Days 2015...... 15 3rd Cyprus International Performance Art Festival...... 23 Maronite cultural performance at the Presidential Palace...... 29 Cyprus marks 100th anniversary of Armenian Genocide...... 30 Zenobia Week...... 32 Deneia Lecture Series...... 36 Thoc Theatre’s main stage renamed ‘Evis Gavrielides Hall’....38 THOC – Cyprus Theatre Organisation...... 40 #katselaproject...... 42 Street Life Festival...... 45 Creative Visions: Anastasios G. Leventis and West Africa...... 46 Cementography...... 53 A Crush on German Short Films...... 56 3rd Cyprus International Performance Art Festival...... 58 Opus 39 Gallery...... 60 Sendall – In Cyprus 1892-1898: A Governor in Bondage...... 62 Pitis...... 63 Polychrome...... 64
Volume LIII, No 2, April-June 2015
A quarterly cultural review of the Ministry of Education and Editorial Assistance: Culture published and distributed by the Press and Information Natassa Haratsis-Avraamides Office (PIO), Ministry of Interior, Nicosia, Cyprus. [email protected] Press and Information Office Address: Michaela Mobley Ministry of Education and Culture [email protected] Kimonos & Thoukydides Corner, 1434 Nicosia, Cyprus Website: http://www.moec.gov.cy Design: GNORA COMMUNICATION CONSULTANTS Press and Information Office Printed by: Konos Ltd Apellis Street, 1456 Nicosia, Cyprus Website: http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio Front cover: Performance by Asomates Dynameis Dance th EDITORIAL BOARD Company at the 18 Cyprus Contemporary Dance Festival Chairperson: Back cover: Painting by Twins Seven-Seven, Untitled, c Pavlos Paraskevas, 1960-70, at the Creative Visions: Anastasios G. Leventis and Director of Cultural Services, West Africa temporary exhibition at the A.G. Leventis Gallery Ministry of Education and Culture Chief Editor: Jacqueline Agathocleous [email protected] GNORA COMMUNICATION CONSULTANTS PIO 132/2015 – 3.500 (website: www.gnora.com) ISSN (PRINT) 0045-9429 Tel: +357 22441922 Fax: +357 22519743 ISSN (ONLINE) 1986-2547
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warm welcome to our Cyprus Today readers. The April-June 2015 edition of our publication A promises art, theatre, literature and more, all painstakingly selected from a plethora of cultural events that stood out during this season past.
Indeed, apart from our customary abundance of summer festivals, this year we also have some very interesting alternative additions such as a mass dive that took place on the Zenobia shipwreck in Larnaca in June, and, on a more serious note, our presence at the official commemoration of the Armenian Genocide, marking its 100th anniversary this year; Cyprus was one of the first countries in the world to recognise it as genocide. We start off with the 18th Cyprus Contemporary Dance Festival, which as is the case every year, provided a wealth of fascinating imagery and insight into the artists involved. We follow up with International Museum Day; a celebration that is taken very seriously in Cyprus given its abundance of museums. And never ones to let us down, our museums provided plenty of events to bring the public closer to our cultural heritage. Cyprus Film Days brought us the award-winning films of the year, including st1 Prize winner Three Windows and a Hanging, a coproduction between Kosovo and Germany directed by Isa Qosja. While on the subject of film, our issue also takes a look at the documentary Cementography by Nicolas Iordanou and Sylvia Nicolaides, which narrates the history behind the Cypriot traditional art form of cementography. Intending Humorously was the theme of this year’s Cyprus International Performance Art Festival (CIPAF) by ARTos Foundation, which took place in June. The festival’s programme consisted of live performances, an exhibition and screenings. Other interesting topics include a tribute to the late Evis Gavrielides, the most emblematic figure in contemporary Cypriot theatre, a presentation of the book Sendall – In Cyprus 1892-1898: A Governor in Bondage, which follows the story of Sir Walter Sendall during the early British rule of Cyprus, and a lecture series organised by the Cultural Services of the Ministry of Education and Culture, this issue looking at the occupied Deneia community. There was also the very exciting arrival of French street artist Zabou to Cyprus, who brought the side of a building in the village of Athienou to life with one of her famous, vibrant street artworks. This, and much more. Enjoy!
2 International Museum Day 2015 THOC – Cyprus Theatre Organisation
Cementography A Crush on German Short Films
Zabou
3 18th Cyprus Contemporary Dance Festival
1-30 June 2015
he annual event for contemporary dance- new contemporary dance trends, highlighting at Tlovers came in June when they were able the same time the advancement of contemporary to enjoy an array of interesting performances dance internationally. from various countries, with diverse themes and The Festival has established a special place for viewpoints regarding personal, existential and itself on the calendar of contemporary dance th social matters, at the 18 Cyprus Contemporary events and has succeeded in building bridges with Dance Festival. worldwide choreographic productions. Every After seventeen years under the name European year the Festival hosts acclaimed dance groups Contemporary Dance Festival, this year’s edition from Europe, which comprise the greatest part expanded and adopted the new title Cyprus of the Festival programme. At the same time, Contemporary Dance Festival. The new name it carries on the tradition of hosting equally corresponds to the Festival’s need to cross prestigious groups from the neighbouring country “European boundaries” and reach countries of the of Israel, in the framework of expanding into the wider region, and especially of the south eastern wider region surrounding the island. Four dance Mediterranean. groups from Cyprus, which participated in this With a diverse participation of nine countries, year’s Contemporary Dance Platform, were also the Festival presented its audience with all the included in the programme.
ROOTLESSROOT (Greece)
4 Internationaal Danstheater (The Netherlands)
5 This year’s edition was enhanced by the increased as the starting point for an emotional approach to number of performances in Nicosia. Having this powerful performance. Fado’s themes give already launched its presence in the events of the expression to the whims of fate and human passions. capital city of Cyprus a few years ago, the organisers Traditionally, the lyrics are about the peculiarities planned an increased balanced programme for of life’s uncertainties, separation, grief, love, faith, this year, with dance performances in both host a cry for freedom and wanting to fly away. Fado is cities. This year’s programme included six dance a co-production of Internationaal Danstheater and performances in Limassol (at Rialto Theatre) and Companhia Portuguesa de Bailado Contemporâneo five in Nicosia (at Pallas Theatre and Dance House (CPBC) from Lisbon, Portugal. Lefkosia). Moreover, dance fans in both cities ROOTLESSROOT (Greece) had the opportunity to watch all performances by Title: W Memorabilia (Phaedra’s Laboratory) taking advantage of the free bus transportation (2014): A show by Linda Kapetanea and Jozef offered by the Festival organisers: The Ministry Frucek which deals with womanhood through the of Education and Culture and Rialto Theatre in notion of the suffering body and the archetypal, Limassol, in collaboration with the Embassies and dark, tragic heroine Phaedra. The main axis of the cultural centres of the participating countries. their artistic practice is the exploration of human emotion; the secret desires expressed through The Performances the body. Internationaal Danstheater (The Netherlands) HURyCAN (Spain) Title: Fado - Ritual e Sombras (2014): Choreographer Title: Je te haime (2013): The awarded dance Vasco Wellenkamp took the roots of fado music performance by Arthur Bernard Bazin and
HURyCAN (Spain) Art of Spectra (Sweden)
T42dance Projects (Switzerland) 6th Dimension (France)
6 Yossi Berg and Oded Graf Dance Theatre (Israel)
Milena Ugren Koulas Cie Twain Physical Dance (Italy)
Candelaria Antelo (Feria Internacional de Teatro quality that resembles a choreographic origami. y Danza de Huesca, 2013) questions one’s limits 6th Dimension (France) and basic communication, through movement. Title: Tell me, what you dance? (2015) / I feel Art of Spectra (Sweden) good (2010): In the first performance, by Séverine Title: FRAGMENT (2014): A fragment of a Bidaud, three fairy-tales and three hip hop dancers memory, a memory that you do not have full venture into a tender and mild stroll to shape a access to; a picture, a sense of an event or dream. world where imagination is the switch from a soft Fragments of a memory that you tried to repress; trip. They go in search of the pleasure of the game, fragments of a life, of a meeting… Fragment give up tensions and automation of adulthood to by Peter Svenzon investigates adolescence, lost rediscover a joyous spontaneity. In the second innocence, crucial meetings and unpleasant performance, six women’s portraits reflect with experiences. tenderness, humour and nostalgia the effects of T42dance Projects (Switzerland) passing time and old age. Titles: Another Chopsticks Story (2011) / Black Yossi Berg and Oded Graf Dance Theatre Swan (2013): The first performance is a humoristic (Israel) approach by choreographers / dancers Misato Title: 4Men, Alice, Bach and the Deer: This Inoue and Félix Duméril to the story of Madame performance by Yossi Berg and Oded Graf is a Butterfly, delivered with a good dose of self- humorous, dark fantasy performed to the music sarcasm. In Black Swan, Misato Inoue presents of Johann Sebastian Bach about four men trying herself in a vivid, feel-good manner of aesthetic to find the ultimate “man” and daring to doubt
7 Fotis Nikolaou his existence. A delightful and original show are the glances, gestures, positioning, and verbal that combines text, singing, and dancing, 4 Men, statements that people continuously feed into Alice, Bach and the Deer was acclaimed by situations, whether intended or not. critics as “striking”, “unforgettable”, “poetic” and Fotis Nikolaou “surprising”. Title: Inland: Inland; the parts of a country remote Cie Twain Physical Dance (Italy) from the sea or frontiers; the land that is situated Title: Lei e Tancredi, denunce di corpi parlanti: in the interior of a country. Within. A journey This performance by Loredana Parrella moves within… on to a personal exploration of the contemporary Asomates Dynameis Dance Company / Machi world. Seven dancing bodies on stage embody Dimitriadou-Lindahl at the same time; the heroes of the medieval Crusades, young men of the Israeli-Palestinian Title: Gate: A journey from darkness to light. Gate conflict, the students and the police of the riots. The has a symbolic meaning that marks the passage choreography goes beyond the technical to reach from one state of consciousness to another; a path an emotional expression, hard-hitting and pure, which transforms us and brings us a little closer to allowing the bodies of the performers to scream, our essence, to a more conscious, luminous and at the same time, sorrow and love, fragments of serene state of being. complaints in an attempt to highlight the purity of Milena Ugren Koulas the human being. Title: Happiness: According to Aristotle, Julia Brendle in collaboration with Marios Happiness is the ultimate end and purpose of Constantinou human existence. Happiness is not pleasure, nor Within & Between: It is that class of events which is it virtue. It is the exercise of virtue. Happiness occurs during co-presence and by virtue of co- cannot be achieved until the end of one’s life. presence. The ultimate behavioural materials Hence, it is a goal and not a temporary state.
8 International Museum Day 2015
he worldwide community of museums heritage, given the increasing precariousness Tcelebrated International Museum Day on of ecosystems, situations of political instability, and around 18 May, 2015. and the associated natural and man-made This year’s theme for the event was Museums challenges that may arise. Museum work, for a Sustainable Society. “It highlights the role through education and exhibitions for example, of museums in raising public awareness about should strive to create a sustainable society. the need for a society that is less wasteful, We must do everything we can to ensure that more cooperative and that uses resources in museums are part of the cultural driving force a way that respects living systems,” said the for the sustainable development of the world.” International Council of Museums (ICOM) The International Council of Museums (ICOM) ahead of the celebration. established International Museum Day in 1977 ICOM President, Prof Dr Hans-Martin Hinz, to increase public awareness of the role of added: “Museums, as educators and cultural museums in the development of society. It has mediators, are adopting an increasingly vital been steadily gaining momentum ever since. role in contributing to the definition and In 2014, International Museum Day garnered implementation of sustainable development record-breaking participation with more than and practices. Museums must be able to 35,000 museums hosting events in some 145 guarantee their role in safeguarding cultural countries.
Byzantine museum
9 Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia
A little bit of history Uniting the museum community on one theme Before officially creating International Museum As the event attracted more and more museums, Day, ICOM gathered the international museum and increasingly favoured diversity in unity, community for a 1951 meeting called ‘Crusade ICOM suggested a theme for the first time in for Museums’, to discuss the theme Museums 1992: Museums and Environment. and Education. The idea for International In 1997, ICOM launched the first official Museum Day was inspired by the framework poster of the event on the theme of fighting for museum accessibility that was developed at illicit traffic in cultural goods. The poster was this meeting. adapted by 28 countries. International Museum Day was officially In 2011, institutional partners, a slogan, a website established in 1977 with the adoption of a and communications kit for International resolution during the ICOM General Assembly Museum Day were introduced, marking a in Moscow, Russia to create an annual event turning point for the event. ICOM was also that aimed at further unifying the creative patron of the European Night of Museums for aspirations and efforts of museums, and the first time that year, an event that takes place drawing the attention of the world public to on the Saturday closest to 18 May each year. their activity. International Museum Day was (Source: http://imd.icom.museum) meant to convey the message that Museums are an important means of cultural exchange, IMD 2016 enrichment of cultures and development of Already thinking about next year? In 2016, mutual understanding, cooperation and peace Italy will hold a place of honour during among peoples. International Museums Day, since the 24th
10 General Conference will be held in Milan from Kkolos. The Foundation also offered a number the 3 to 9 July, 2016. of tours to mark Museum Day. On this occasion, the theme of the year will For more information on the Bank of Cyprus be the same for ICOM General Conference Cultural Foundation visit: www.boccf.org and International Museum Day: Museums and Cultural Landscapes. Cyprus Folk Art Museum The Cyprus Folk Art Museum offered guided Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation tours in Greek and English, as well as a special The Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation, as guided tour through the application Peakkin, to it does every year, celebrated International mark International Museum Day. It also presented Museum Day with a series of activities. On Old Traditional Craft works, in cooperation with 14 May, it organised a lecture with speaker the Cyprus Handicraft Service of the Ministry of Rony Oren, artist and animator, in cooperation Energy, Commerce, Industry and Tourism, and with the Embassy of Israel in Cyprus, entitled: provided Traditional Games and Fairy tales. Creativity Through Animation and Stop Motion. Oren then organised a workshop on The Museum also held a number of workshops, 15 May, again in collaboration with the Israel including one on Needle Embroidery and Embassy, under the title Plasticine Characters’ Crochet, another on Recycling Through Design Workshop. Tradition with Christina Tsene, and a workshop Other events included the educational with Panayiotis Pasantas where he shared his in- programme From Fruitopia to the island of depth knowledge of Recycling and Sculpture. Fireworks: an amazing journey to the magical All events were accompanied by delicious worlds of Eugene Trivizas for children aged 7 traditional Cypriot delicacies! to 12 years old on 16 May, and a storytelling For more information on the Cyprus Folk Arts of a book by Eugene Trivizas by actor Charis Museum visit: www.cypriotstudies.org/Mouseio
Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation
11 Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia The Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia marked International Museum Day with a series of events, beginning 17 May 2015 and ending Monday 18 May 2015. It started off with a new educational programme based on the Museum’s permanent collections. The Museum, which celebrates 26 years in operation this year, invited the public to a tour of its newly renovated “Caterina Cornaro Gallery”, a presentation under the title Caterina Cornaro, the last Queen of Cyprus: History and Myth, the Exhibits Narrate. Also, visitors got the chance to become reacquainted with the history of Cyprus’ capital, Nicosia, with the educational programme 10+1 Hidden Secrets – Time Travels through Nicosia with Ledra and Ledro. The programme, aimed at children aged 7 to 11 years old, invited families with children to join an interactive tour through the history of Nicosia. Little Ledra and Ledros, a time machine, objects and narratives, boxes filled with riddles, images and secrets all mixed together to pique the visitors’ imagination and enrich them with knowledge of the town’s past. For more information on the Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia visit: www.leventisfoundation.org
A Night at the Museum A Night at the Museum The A.G. Leventis Gallery’s first ever Night at the Museum sleepover event took place on 15 May 2015 at the Gallery with great success! with their surroundings. A brief presentation on the subjects of rules and regulations, and health The children arrived at the Gallery and set up and safety was given. their sleeping quarters and were then given a brief tour of the Gallery to become familiar A themed dinner was hosted at the restaurant Pinakothiki followed by a treasure hunt through the Gallery’s Collections. The children were introduced to the world of European art and responded with many thought-provoking questions. A fruitful, entertaining conversation ensued. The night ended with a movie, and then finally, it was lights out! The next morning, after a delicious breakfast, the children got their creative minds to work and had lots of fun with some arts and crafts. Then it was time to pack up (and clean up!) say their Cyprus Folk Art Museum farewells, and look forward to the next time.
12 The Museums of the Pancyprian Gymnasium Pupils’ art exhibition to mark International Museum Day
The Museums of the Pancyprian Gymnasium of the artist and the curator to be differentiated. The Museums of the Pancyprian Gymnasium Groys argues that this is still possible if the artist celebrated International Museum Day along renegotiates its public exhibition space, while with Frederick University, with a special attempting him/herself to “privatise” it. exhibition entitled Rambling Forms which The Museums of the Pancyprian Gymnasium opened on 18 May 2015. remained open from 9am until 7pm on 16 May, Students from Frederick University’s MA offering free tours. in Fine Art: Contemporary Art Practices programme participated in the exhibition. They Pupils’ art exhibition to mark International were Emily Avraamidou, Rebecca Georgiou, Museum Day Maria Gregoriou, Victoria Leonidou, Katerina The Regional Gymnasium of Pera Chorio Neophytidou, Michelle Panteli, Ioanna and Nisou, in cooperation with the Local Chimona and Anna Maria Charalambous, and Archaeological Museum of Ancient Idalion, their works were created during the course marked International Museum Day 2015 with Dance and Exhibitory Practices, under the an original art exhibition by the school’s pupils. guidance of professors Hourig Torossian, Vicky The pupils’ exhibition comprised textile Pericleous and Panayiotis Michael. artworks created during Art classes over the past The visual proposition came in the form of school year, under the 4th Cyprus Visual Arts a study-installation. In his text Politics of Competition. The Competition is one of the most Installation (2009), Boris Groys underlined the important activities organised by the Ministry of need to comprehend contemporary art primarily Education and Culture for Art lessons, for both as an exhibitory practice, posing the key gymnasiums and lyceums. This year’s theme question: If there is no longer a divide between was I love my country, I love Cyprus. the production and exhibition of a contemporary Children from all classes were involved in the piece of visual art, how is it possible for the role competition, which was led by art professors
13 Demetris Neocleous and Katia Savvidou. With the competition’s theme in mind, they decided to focus on the meaning of ‘remembrance’; remembrance of the various legends and traditions of the island, but also Cyprus’ past and culture as a whole. More than 500 pupils participated, drawing inspiration from written and oral narratives, local fairy tales, and gathering material from old newspapers, magazines, the internet and film, and providing their own, contemporary spin on tales of the past. After the pupils finished their individual pieces, they were all joined together to form a massive tapestry that was 1 metre wide and many metres long. The collective artwork depicts graffiti and Local Museum of Kourion paintings. In addition, twelve groups of artworks The event was organised by the Department of depicting the months of the year with four Antiquities and Episkopi Local Council. textile paintings each were put together, as For more information on the Local Museum of well as another group of works, presented in Kourion call: 25932750 vertical strips of a half metre width and two and a half metres tall on Cyprus legends and traditions. Byzantine Museum and Art Gallery The Local Archaeological Museum of Ancient (Archbishop Makarios III Foundation) Idalion held a series of other events as well to The Byzantine Museum and Art Gallery celebrate International Museum Day on 18 May (Archbishop Makarios III Foundation) opened 2015, including tours of the museum, music its celebrations with guided tours of the entertainment with a DJ that was organised by st the schoolchildren, and art workshops. temporary exhibition “On the 1 of April”, the ethnographic collection and the collection of Local Museum of Kourion Objects of the Greeks of Asia Minor (visitors The Local Museum of Kourion started also had the opportunity to visit the stolen International Museum Day off with a Guided Tour of the Museum, given by ecclesiastical treasures that have been recently Archaeological Officers of the Department of repatriated from Germany). Antiquities. In the evening, the President of Celebrations continued with an exhibition of the Episkopi Local Council and the Director artwork by students who participated in the of the Department of Antiquitied addressed educational programme “Journey through a gathering at the museum, before a lecture Byzantine Art” and “Hymn to Freedom” was held entitled: Episkopi of Limassol and organised by the Byzantine Museum and Art the House of the Cornaro-Piscopia, delivered Gallery in collaboration with the Directorate by Nasa Patapiou, historian-researcher at the Cyprus Research Centre. of Primary School Education of the Ministry of Education and Culture (2014-2015). A concert followed by the group Pandouris: Tribute to Mikis Theodorakis and Manos For more information on the Byzantine Hadjidakis, with Christiana Pavlou in vocals Museum and Art Gallery, and the participation of the Episkopi choir. visit: www.makariosfoundation.org.cy
14 Cyprus Film Days 2015
hree Windows and a Hanging, a coproduction is a self-centred teenage suburban brat, until Tbetween Kosovo and Germany directed by Isa she gets pregnant by her un-loving quarterback Qosja, took the first prize of the 13th edition of Cyprus boyfriend and gives her father a fatal heart attack. Film Days, which ran from 17 to 26 April 2015. Matthew is a rowdy and disillusioned computer The festival, which takes place in the southern engineer with a vicious temper. Disowned by her city of Limassol and in the capital Nicosia, aims devastated mom, dumped by her boyfriend, and to bring Cypriot viewers closer to independent shunned by her friends, Maria wanders the streets cinema. It showcases new Cypriot productions as and bumps into Matthew. These two exiles fall well as movies from around the world. in love and set out trying to become a normal, domestic, suburban couple. But these troubled For the first time this year, the festival introduced lives evolve in unexpected ways and Maria grows a National Competition Section, exclusively into a responsible person that few conventional showcasing Cypriot productions. First prize in this notions of “ordinary” can contain. section went to Impressions of a Drowned Man, a coproduction between Cyprus, Slovania and Greece, Flirt by Hal Hartley (USA, Japan, Germany produced by Dry Tree Films, coproduced in Cyprus 1995 – 85’): In New York: Bill is a good-natured by Film Blades and in Slovenia by Restart. but spoiled guy whose girlfriend, Emily, gives him an ultimatum; make a commitment or end the relationship. Meanwhile in Berlin: Dwight is a Tribute: Hal Hartley precocious young American who lives with Johan, Trust by Hal Hartley (USA 1990 – 107’): Maria an older German art dealer. Whereas in Tokyo a
15 Three Windows and a Hanging (Kosovo, Germany) The Goob (United Kingdom)
Impressions of a Drowned Man (Cyprus, Slovenia, Greece) quiet and unassuming dance student named Miho young audiences. The Film Days for Children and is kissed by her respected teacher, Mister Ozu. Youth – Cyprus 2015, which was co-organised Three cities, three stories, three love affairs. What in collaboration with the International Children’s do they each choose to do? Film Festival of Cyprus, included screenings of Henry Fool by Hal Hartley (USA 1997 – international awarded films for young audiences 137’): After would-be writer and ex-con Henry as well as short film screenings of films produced Fool inspires lowly trash man Simon Grim to by children in Cyprus and Greece. pen prizewinning poetry, he becomes a media The festival included a series of screenings of phenomenon. But as Simon’s success continues to international award winning films, as well as film grow, Henry finds his literary fortunes falling in workshops for children, all for free. this allegorical satire. The Fort / Killa by Avinash Arun (India 2014 – 107’): Trying to cope with the recent death of his Special Screening: Cyprus Film Days for father, 11-year-old Chinu moves from a big city to Children and Youth a small Konkan town because of his mother’s job For the first time ever, this year’s Cyprus Film transfer. He finds it difficult to adjust to the new Days incorporated a special section with films for environment and he feels alienated and reluctant
16 to open up to other people. Both Chinu and his unusual love story will…reveal its teeth. mother deal with their own individual struggles Norway by Yannis Veslemes (Greece 2014 – and anxieties in the new town. At the end of this 73’): 1984. Photophobic Zano arrives in the city process, they emerge with new experiences as for the first time. A vampire and a fine dancer, he newer people, both healed and enriched. gets devoured by the dark underbelly of Athens, The Boy and the World by Alê Abreu (Brazil a city that is nowhere on the map. All he wants 2014 – 80’): A Brazilian animation film that truly is a ‘warm’ girl. He ends up in Zardoz Disco, a exemplifies the power of imagery and music hive of scum and villainy, where he meets Alice, as a combination that has more than enough to a prostitute, and Peter, a Norwegian drug dealer. portray a powerful and deep message. It shows The three of them will undertake a funny business, an adventurous quest that illustrates the issues of which will lead him to Mount Parnitha, into the the modern world through the eyes of a child. A core of the earth, all the way to the kingdom of Mathousalas. (Attended by the actor Vangelis cautionary tale of globalization, the film teaches Mourikis) above all the dangers of the massification of the economy, of the mind, and of the soul. Goodnight Mommy by Severin Fiala, Veronika Franz (Austria 2014 – 99’): In an isolated house Thematic Section: “The Other Cinema of the in the countryside ten-year-old twins wait for their Fantastic” mother to return home after a cosmetic surgery. A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night by Ana Lily When she comes back, her face is still covered Amirpour (USA 2014 – 99’): In the fictitious in bandages but something does not feel normal. “Bad City”– a ghost town for downtrodden, lost Stern and distant, the mother decides to isolate souls, who live a lawless life – a lonesome girl the boys from the outside world. Starting to doubt lurks in the shadows. When the girl meets a boy an whether this woman is actually their mother, the
Flirt by Hal Hartley (USA, Japan, Germany 1995)
Trust by Hal Hartley (USA 1990) The Fort / Killa by Avinash Arun (India 2014)
17 boys are determined to discover the truth by any River. The spring floods create a small island in means. the middle of the river, where an old peasant grows corn. Later, a Georgian border policeman comes to the island and changes the seemingly ideal life of Viewfinder - A Close Up of Contemporary the old peasant and his 16-year old granddaughter. International Cinema Magical Girl by Carlos Vermut (Spain, France Whiplash by Damien Chazelle (USA 2014 – 2014 – 127’): Determined to fulfil the wish of his 107’): Andrew Neyman is an ambitious young terminally ill 12-year-old daughter - to own the jazz drummer who studies at one of the best music expensive costume of a Japanese anime character conservatories of the US, under the tutorship of - Luis decides to blackmail a rich and mentally Terence Fletcher, one of the most demanding, and disturbed woman and drives her into a dark world. toughest jazz music mentors. Seeking revenge on Luis, she turns for help to a Mommy by Xavier Dolan (Canada 2014 – 139’): man from her past. In a fictional Canada, where a new law allows Leviathan by Andrey Zvyagintsev (Russia distressed parents to abandon their problematic 2014 – 140’): Leviathan is a gripping parable of children to health care institutions, a widow tries class, faith and corruption, centering on a dispute to cope with her violent and troublemaking son. - between a small-time mechanic and the local While they both try to make ends meet, living authorities - that will lead to dire consequences. under the same roof, Kyla, a mysterious neighbour, Xenia by Panos Koutras (Greece 2014 – 134’): offers her help. Although Kyla’s heart-warming After their mother’s death, two brothers, Danny presence becomes increasingly intense, several and Odysseas, 16 and 18 years old respectively, questions remain unanswered about her own life. embark on a journey across Greece to find their Corn Island by George Ovashvili (Georgia 2014 father, who had abandoned them when they were – 100’): Corn Island is a psychological drama. The younger. Their goal is to obtain Greek citizenship action in the film takes place at the natural border as well as the participation of talented Odysseas of the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict – the Enguri in a song contest in Thessaloniki. During their
A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night by Ana Lily Amirpour The Boy and the World by Alê Abreu (Brazil 2014) (USA 2014 – 99’)
Norway by Yannis Veslemes (Greece 2014) Mommy by Xavier Dolan (Canada 2014)
18 Corn Island by George Ovashvili (Georgia 2014) Xenia by Panos Koutras (Greece 2014)
Magical Girl by Carlos Vermut (Spain, France 2014) Leviathan by Andrey Zvyagintsev (Russia 2014) journey, they will encounter both friends and enemies; they will strive for a better life and come Full list of Winners of age without giving up their right to dream. Best Film Award: Three Windows and a Hanging (Kosovo, Germany) - Directed by National Competition Section Isa Qosja Special Jury Award: The Goob (United Family Member by Marinos Kartikkis (Cyprus Kingdom) - Directed by Guy Myhill 2015 – 104’): Υiorgos and Sophia are trying hard Best Director Award: Kyros Papavassiliou to cope with their financial problems and the needs for Impressions of a Drowned Man (Cyprus, of their two children. The grandfather helps them Slovenia, Greece) out with his pension since the family business, a Produced by Dry Tree Films small grocery store, does not provide them with Coproduction with Film Blades (Cyprus) enough income. The grandfather suddenly dies and Restart (Slovenia) and they decide to keep it a secret for as long as With the support of the Cyprus Ministry they can so as to continue collecting the money of Education and Culture (Cyprus Cinema from his pension. But things become more Advisory Committee) and the Southeastern complicated when officers from the department of European Cinema Network social security starts looking for the grandfather. Audience Award: Whiplash (USA) - (In the presence of the director) Directed by Damien Chazelle Conveyor Belt by Alexia Roider (Cyprus 2015 National Competition Section – 62’): Marios, an airport worker, lives a lonely Best National Film Award: Impressions of a and quiet life. He draws no attention to himself. Drowned Man Honorary Distinctions: Difret (Ethiopia) However, he has a secret passion. He takes home Directed by Zeresenay Berhane Mehari forgotten, unclaimed and lost luggage. In the Αctor Naveh Tzur in the film Valley (Israel) safety of his own world, he methodically examines Directed by Sophie Artus. Actress Irena Cahani the contents of each luggage; the textures, the in the film Three Windows and a Hanging smells, the colours…All the little details become
19 clues of another life and a person unknown to Homesick by Jakob M. Erwa (Germany, Austria him. Yet they are his only solace and connection 2015 – 98’): Homesick tells the story of ambitious to the world. This obsession has become his life’s cello student Jessica who moves into her first own purpose, an addiction that he cannot escape from flat with her boyfriend Lorenz. When she receives and eventually it becomes a quest for something the honourable invitation to represent Germany in he doesn’t even know he is looking for… (In the an international contest for classic music it seems presence of the director) to be her great opportunity. The increasing pressure and stress begin to noticeably gnaw on Jessica’s The Magic Beans by Theo Panayides (Cyprus everyday life and pretty soon reality and imagination 2015 – 101’): Four actors (and their annoying blur. (In the presence of the director) friend) wait in an old house for their teacher Difret by Zeresenay Berhane Mehari (Ethiopia, who will give a drama workshop. When they USA 2014 – 99’): Meaza Ashenafi is a young get hungry, they buy five portions of beans from lawyer who operates under the government’s radar a nearby restaurant. However, the beans lead helping women and children in Ethiopia. This is to comical hallucinations and weird goings-on, until one young girl’s legal case exposes everything, enabling them to resolve their personal issues in threatening not only her career but her survival. unexpected ways. (In the presence of the director) The Chambermaid Lynn by Ingo Haeb Glocal Images: International Competition (Germany 2014 – 90’): No chambermaid is Section as thorough as Lynn Zapatek; her whole world
Family Member by Marinos Kartikkis (Cyprus 2015) Conveyor Belt by Alexia Roider (Cyprus 2015)
The Magic Beans by Theo Panayides (Cyprus 2015)
20 The Chambermaid Lynn by Ingo Haeb (Germany 2014) Difret by Zeresenay Berhane Mehari (Ethiopia, USA 2014)
Valley by Sophie Artus (Israel 2014) revolves entirely around the task of cleaning. In and at school. A story of friendship, love and hate, order to understand what drives other people, she where the adolescents’ world is revealed as cruel rummages through the possessions of the hotel and beautiful; a world where the desire to die or guests and hides under their beds at night, hoping to kill and the will to live, will define their fate. (In find the secrets behind their lives. When she comes the presence of the director) across the call girl Chiara, who offers her services A Blast by Syllas Tzoumerkas (Greece, in the hotel, she dares to venture out of her cocoon. Germany 2014 – 84’): Maria is speeding on the (In the presence of the actress Vicky Krieps) highway. Behind her, there is fire and a case full Impressions of a Drowned Man by Kyros of money. In front of her, there is the hopeless Papavassiliou (Cyprus, Slovenia, Greece 2015 vastness of the motorway. Just a day ago, she – 82’): Totally disconnected from his past and was a caring mother, a loving wife, a responsible memory, the Passenger tries to define himself daughter. Today, she has gone rogue. (In the confronted by his pre-determined fate, a fate that presence of the scriptwriter Youla Boudali) he has to re-live upon every anniversary of his Three Windows and a Hanging by Isa Qosja death. (In the presence of the director) (Kosovo, Germany 2014 – 94’): A harrowing Valley by Sophie Artus (Israel 2014 – 85’): This tale about a village forced to come to terms with is the story of three sensitive teenagers who are the raping of women by Serb forces during the forced to deal with violence; violence at home 1998-99 Kosovo war. The film seeks to tackle a
21 Cruel by Eric Cherrière (France 2014) A Blast by Syllas Tzoumerkas (Greece, Germany 2014) sensitive issue that has largely been kept out of audiences. The Cyprus Film Days for Children and the spotlight for over a decade. (In the presence Youth, which was co-organised in collaboration of the director) with the International Children’s Film Festival Cruel by Eric Cherrière (France 2014 – 108’): of Cyprus, included screenings of international Pierre Tardieu is a temporary worker in a major awarded films for young audiences as well as short French city. He lives in an old house with his ill films produced by children in Cyprus and Greece. father. No one is aware of his existence. Pierre falls A three-member Artistic Committee was in love. Pierre is a serial killer. (In the presence of responsible for the selection of films within the director) the programme, while a Jury made up of The Goob by Guy Myhill (United Kingdom 2014 internationally recognised professionals, – 84’): In the middle of a heatwave in Fenland, awarded films accordingly. The awards are as England, Goob Taylor has spent each of his sixteen follows: Best Film, Special Jury Award and Best summers helping his mother run the transport café, Director. For the first time this year, a new award and harvest the surrounding pumpkin fields. When was introduced for the National Competition his mother shacks up with a swarthy stock-car Section, which was given to the Best National race driver and ladies’ man, Goob becomes an Film. The audience also had the opportunity to unwelcome side thought. However Goob’s world vote for their favourite film, which then received turns when exotic pumpkin picker Eva arrives. the Audience Award. Fuelled by her flirtatious comments, Goob dreams All films were presented in their original language of better things. with Greek and English subtitles. The Festival took place at the Rialto Theatre, in Limassol and About the Festival Zena Palace Cinema, in Nicosia. The Festival consists of two main programmes; the international competitive section known as Glocal Mission of the Festival Images and the non-competitive section known as Viewfinder, which comprises films that have been Focusing on both local and global, or Glocal screened and awarded at major festivals over the perspectives, Cyprus Film Days International Film past year. For the first time this year, the Festival Festival brings world cinema to local audiences introduced a National Competition Section, through the process of discovering new trends and exclusively showcasing Cypriot productions. talent as well as celebrating filmmaking as an art Special tributes, parallel screenings, master form. classes, workshops and musical events, completed The Festival aims not only to broaden its appeal the programme of the official International Film within its own borders, but to attract both industry Festival of Cyprus. and audiences from abroad by developing itself as 2015 marks the first time that Cyprus Film Days has a cinematic meeting point for the three continents incorporated a special section with films for young surrounding Cyprus.
22 3rd Cyprus International Performance Art Festival
RTos Foundation hosted the 3rd Cyprus guest from the field of performance art creates AInternational Performance Art Festival a special occasion for the audience. (CIPAF), which took place on 20 and 21 June The Cyprus International Performance Art 2015. The festival’s programme consisted of Festival is the first and only event in Cyprus live performances, an exhibition and screenings created for and dedicated exclusively to at the ARTos Foundation premises. performance art. This initiative brings A pre-opening event with performance together, supports and promotes the work of screenings and discussions (Performance Art internationally renowned artists and young Jukebox) was hosted by Goethe Institute on 19 emerging artists from around the world, for June and a Performance Art workshop followed whom Performance Art is the primary medium on 23, 24 and 25 June. of artistic creation. The 3rd edition of CIPAF focused on humour. CIPAF aims to introduce the compound nature This year the thematic festival was entitled of performance art to the local community and Intending Humorously, and looked at how enhance Cyprus’ art scene, whilst encouraging performance artists use humour and its varieties relationships with local, national and in their work. Also this year the festival international networks. introduced Space for New, a programme for The festival’s activities are addressed to both the support of newcomer performance artists, artists and the general public. The festival and Performance Art Occasion where a special creates a common ground for artists, curators,
Christopher Hewitt, photo: Andres Galeano
23 Roi Vaara, Points of Departure, Centro Cultural Acapulco, Transmuted, Festival Internacional de Performance, Acapulco, MX, 2012 photograph: Belinda Garen
critics, cultural producers, art students and Artists the audience, as an occasion for exchange, Christopher Hewitt: Born in the UK, encounter and collaboration. It is a non-profit Christopher Hewitt lives and works in Berlin, initiative implemented through the immense Germany. A Special Guest of the 3rd Cyprus effort of organisers to establish an innovative International Performance Art Festival, he has yearly event. It was the continuous effort of been involved in the areas of performance art its team, the support of the participating artists and interdisciplinary art for the past 20 years, and the generosity of its collaborating partners, working as a curator, teacher, facilitator, and supporters and sponsors that made this year’s very occasionally, as a performance artist Cyprus International Performance Art Festival himself. After nearly 10 years of being based in a reality. London, which included working as the Director CIPAF exists under the umbrella of the of Live Art at the Institute of Contemporary Cyprus International Performance Art Society Arts, he went on to set up the Crossing (CIPAS), a non-profit organisation created for Borders performance art degree programme and dedicated to Performance Art, having its at the Turku Academy of Art in Finland. For base in Nicosia, Cyprus. several years he worked as the producer for Artists and Special Guests: Christopher the seminal Norwegian performance theatre Hewitt (UK/Germany), Phedon Odysseos group Baktruppen. He is currently based in (Cyprus), Lynn Lu (Singapore/UK), Tomasz Berlin where, since 2006 he has published Szrama (Poland/Finland), Roi Vaara (Finland), ‘liveartwork DVD’ – a quarterly compilation Thalia Zachariadou (Greece) of video documentation of contemporary Curator: Christina Georgiou performance art. He is also the co-curator of Curator of the Screening Programme: the New Performance Turku festival which was Christopher Hewitt founded in 2012.
24 Information about this and other projects is Finland. He was born in Moss (NO), 1953, to available at: www.liveartwork.com Finnish parents. He studied at the University At the 3rd Cyprus International Performance of Art and Design in Helsinki and Jyväskylä Art Festival, Christopher Hewitt presented University in the 1970s. Since 1982 Vaara has Performance Art JukeBox on 19 June 2015 at presented more than 400 performances in more Goethe Institute. He also curated the Screening than 300 international exhibitions/festivals in Programme of the festival which took place at 40 countries. Since 1988, Vaara has performed ARTos Foundation on 20 and 21 June 2015. in Black Market International, the significant Christopher Hewitt was also invited to take part performance art collective. In 2001 he organised in the Performance Art Occasion programme. the legendary EXIT Festival, which presented Performance Art Occasion is a programme where live works of 300 artists from 34 countries. His a special guest from the field of performance art awards include: the State Prize for Art (2000), creates a special occasion for the audience in the Ars Fennica Prize (2005) and Pro Finlandia frame of the Cyprus International Performance Medal (2010). Vaara lives and works in Helsinki Art Festival. Every year, the festival invites a and Budapest. special guest, an expert in performance art, The artist says: “Performance art presents art as to present and share their knowledge on the life and life as art. It is based on that which we subject to the audience. It is a different special have common, and thus it is the most humane occasion every year, where the audience has of all the art genres. Anybody can do it. It is to the opportunity to participate in the activities challenge oneself and forget the circus. It regards through different means. art as an experience rather than an object. It’s not Roi Vaara: Born in Finland, Roi Vaara lives telling stories but it evokes them. Complexity is and works in Helsinki (Finland) and Budapest, expressed by simple means. Based on human Hungary. He is a pioneer of performance art in presence, specific site and situation, working
25 on case-by-case, performance art presents merely conceptual but also affective and unique moments where time is shared and visceral. In other words, she looks at why some immaterial values exchanged. It is communal performances not only tickle our brains but and manifests holistic views indicating life and also quite literally leave us feeling like we have its conditions.” been punched in the gut. Lynn Lu: Born in Singapore, Lynn Lu lives www.lynnlu.info and works in London, UK. She is a visual artist Tomasz Szrama: Born in Poland, Tomasz from Singapore, trained in the USA, France, Szrama lives and works in Helsinki, Finland. He Japan and Australia. She lives and works in graduated in 1998 from the Fine Art Academy London as an independent artist, curator, and in Wroclaw, Poland. Szrama shifts between advisor to ]performance s p a c e [ , which is an multiple disciplines, including photography, artist led non-profit organisation that seeks to video and other time-based works. Regardless provide studio and event space specifically for of the medium, his work always had methods performance art. Since 1997, Lynn has exhibited of performance art as the main thread, and it and performed extensively internationally. eventually began to dominate the course of Recent venues include Palais de Tokyo, Paris his artistic practice. Since 2009 he has been (2015), Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts performing internationally in various events (2013), Singapore Art Museum (2012), and and festivals for example in US, Canada, China Tate Modern (2010). and Mexico. In Lynn’s practice, the sentient body is seen as Szrama has been an active performance art the main medium for perceiving and presenting event co-organiser since 2005. In the 2013 (versus representing) meaning (versus three-day UPROOTED-Fake Nations Festival message) through direct personal experience. he presented sixteen international and local Engaging vigorously with the present reality artists and in 2011’s Fake Finn Festival of of all that is here-and-now, the meaning of her Experimental Art he took over the Augusta context-specific works often manifest in the Gallery for three days with 21 artists. He resonant relationships created between herself also organised the performance art series Art and her audience, and between the audiences Contact and New Art Contact, which took place themselves. in various locations in Helsinki between 2005 Lynn’s research looks at the connection and 2013. From 2014 he started a new series of between experiential knowledge and the innate events called Tonight with Liina Kuittinen. human capacity for empathy, in relation to a Tomasz Szrama has been documenting genre performance art which relies heavily experimental art festivals and live art events on empathy to create meaning that is not since 2005 and presently is working as a
Tomasz Szrama, NotReadyYet Project with Willem Wilhelmus, Thalia Zachariadou, Clean The house, too (THE GIRLS), Jangva Gallery, Finland, 2012, photo: Liina Kuittinen Frown Platforma Athens, 2014
26 CONCEPT
Intending humorously by Christina Georgiou (Curator)
The 3rd edition of the Cyprus International Performance Art Festival is titled Intending Humorously, and it focuses on humour, while looking at how performance artists use humour and its varieties in their work. This theme suggests the intention to create a humorous condition through the action and presence of the performance artist. Every-day and social phenomena are examined while suggesting or questioning: “What is humour and what can be considered to be humorous?” through an encounter where the engagement of the audience in the process is often essential. Some claim that humour cannot or should not be explained. Moreover my intention is not to give an interpretation of humour but to discuss and question the intention of humour in Performance Art, while considering how concepts and issues of everyday life can be discussed and challenged through humour. By using the quality of humour to investigate the potential of Performance Art as a critical instrument for the analysis of social, cultural and political subjects, Intending Humorously aims to bring together performance artists who employ humour in their work, in a variety of ways, while engaging the audience to experience laughter through awareness and without automatism. Intending humorously endeavours also to view issues of our contemporary life and the society we live in through a sense of humour. In [Cassandra] Coblentz’ words: “Many contemporary exhibitions focus with grim earnestness on the difficulty of social justice, environmental degradation or economic inequity. Adding humour to the equation dismantles the sense of insistent authority and reminds us that we are all complicit in these inequities. Humour can offer an astute as well as cathartic and even magical way to deal with big issues.” (Coblentz, 2009) By embracing the above thought, I consider humour as an important factor able to stimulate personal and social contemplation through artistic endeavours, while interrogating current artistic positions of humour. The motivation for Intending Humorously is my interest in humour, laughter and audience coming together through the conceptual and visual milieu of Performance Art. By using laughter as a device to produce sound and oppose quietness, I am interested in the ephemeral aspect of Performance Art and its humoristic potentials in relation to the audience participation. Sherri Klein in her book Art and Laughter describes: “Performance Art has tremendous potential as an art medium for the expression of humour because it relies on experimentation, improvisation and serendipity, all of which can result in the unexpected and the humorously incongruous.” (Klein, 2006) Humour and Performance art can provide the tools to open up discussions and debates of the most serious issues, having the capacity to be revealed in the most unusual places at the most unusual times. Humour has a tremendous social value, and its expression through Performance Art can bring revolutionary voices and reveal unpredicted perspectives to the audience. (References: Coblentz, C., 2009. Seriously Funny (Publication of an exhibition held at Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art 2009) Ed. Ann Neff R. A 2009 SMoCA; Klein, S. 2006. Art and Laughter; London I. B. Tauris)
27 producer, designer, technical manager and is responsible for organising live art events at the HIAP – Helsinki International Artist Programme. A dominant common thread in all of his work is the use of his own body and methods of performance art, such as action, gesture, and the physical manipulation of everyday materials. Szrama’s work is humorous and self-reflexive, often putting his own body into impossible and even ridiculous situations such as attempting to hang himself with helium balloons, covering his entire body in plaster cast, making himself immobile and then waiting for hours in a busy tourist street, or boarding a plane with his own parachute. His work touches on themes of travel, trust, and the ever present potential for personal failure. Phedon Odysseos: Born in Nicosia in 1987, Cyprus, Phedon Odysseos lives and works in Nicosia. He graduated from Manchester University with a BA in Interior Design, in 2011. After returning to Cyprus, he attended a number of training programmes in dance, and has worked intensively within the field Phedon Odysseos, ARTos Foundation, Nicosia, Cyprus of contemporary dance and performance. 2014. Photo: Christina Georgiou Since 2014 he has been collaborating with Cypriot choreographer Alexis Vassiliou for participating in the festival alongside other the production of performances in Cyprus internationally renowned artists. In this process and abroad. Recently, Phedon Odysseos of implementing their idea in the framework placed himself in the field of Performance and the thematic of the festival, the newcomer Art. He attended Performance Art Workshops artists receive mentoring from the participating by Christina Georgiou and presented live performance artists and the curator of the art performances at MITOS Performing festival. By offering a space for constructive Arts Centre in Limassol and ARTos Cultural and Research Foundation in Nicosia. Since learning there is an attempt to create the impetus 2015 he is an active team member of the for new ideas to be presented to the public. Cyprus International Performance Art Society Thalia Zachariadou: Born in Veria, Greece, (CIPAS) and was Assistant Curator of the 3rd in 1980, Thalia Zachariadou lives and works Cyprus International Performance Art Festival in Thessaloniki, Greece. She studied acting (CIPAF). at the High Acting Theatre School “Andreas Phedon Odysseos was also selected to take part Voutsinas”. She participated in performance art in the programme: Space for New. Space for and live art workshops by Ulay, NON GRATA, New is a programme that supports newcomer La Pocha Nostra, and others. She is a founding performance artists that takes place as part member of the newcomer Performance Group: of the Cyprus International Performance Art The Girls. Festival. The newcomer artists are selected to Thalia Zachariadou was also selected to take create and present a performance work while part in the Space for New programme.
28 Maronite cultural performance at the Presidential Palace
he culture of the Maronite community in TCyprus was celebrated at a special event held at the Presidential Palace on 22 April. Organised at the initiative of President Nicos Anastasiades who attended the event, and aiming to promote the history and culture of the Cypriot Maronite Community, it was sponsored by the Cyprus Maronite Welfare Foundation. It featured children from Ayios Maronas Primary School, the only educational institution with children from all the Maronite villages, who performed the cultural programme “Sound Within the framework of efforts already colours of the Maronite Community” and dance underway to promote the religion, history and troupes from the “Kormakitis Association” and culture of each one of the three religious groups “Archangelos Michail Asomatou Cultural Club”. of Cyprus, a number of projects relate to the Maronite community. They include the systematic Attending the performance were state officials documentation of the Maronite Arabic language and members of the diplomatic corps, families in co-operation with the Ministry of Education of the participants, members of the Maronite clergy and of the church boards, the presidents and Culture as well as the restoration of churches of the participating clubs, the primary school’s and historic monuments both in the government school board and parents and teachers association, controlled and Turkish-held areas in consultation alongside teachers and families of the participants with the Maronite representative in the House of among others. Representatives and the Maronite Archbishop for Cyprus, within the framework of the UNDP Addressing the event, Photis Photiou, Presidential programme. Commissioner for Humanitarian Issues and Overseas Cypriots said the staging of the event at The government remained supportive of the the Presidential Palace was particularly symbolic, struggle of the enclaved while a new scheme adding that the government remained a steadfast was being drawn up to offer incentives to young supporter of the Maronite community. “Having families to move back to their villages, Photiou lived enclaved or as refugees for more than 40 years stressed. Noting that education was decisive in now, the Maronites of Cyprus look to the free and conserving the culture of each religious group, he safe return to their occupied villages, Kormakitis, said the government was paying special attention Ayia Marina and Karpasia,” he said. in cooperation with the Ministry of Education to ensure the proper operation of schools with An integral part of Cyprus for fourteen centuries Maronite pupils. He said visits have already been now, the Maronite community is determined carried out to the schools for on-the-spot exchange to conserve their identity, he added. “With this of views. gathering we demonstrate our appreciation and respect of the Maronite community, with which we have co-existed in peace and friendship all these http://www.news.maronitedaily.com/index.php/ years, sharing the same difficulties and problems component/k2/item/3998- (photo credit the resulting from the occupation,” Photiou said. website)
29 Cyprus marks 100th anniversary of Armenian Genocide
he President of the Republic of Cyprus, TNicos Anastasiades, joined foreign leaders in Yerevan on 24 April 2015 for the official commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, conveying in person the solidarity of the people of Cyprus to Armenians everywhere. “The presence of each of us here today aims at keeping alive the remembrance of this despicable act by paying tribute to the millions of lives lost a century ago and constitutes our collective point in the life of Cyprus’ Armenian community. obligation to make known ‘urbi et orbi’ that On 24 April all political parties issued statements impunity cannot go unpunished,” Anastasiades of condemnation of the genocide, while the said. House of Representatives marked the anniversary The presence of the President of the Republic with a minute’s silence. A number of other at the head of a high ranking delegation – commemoration events were held in Cyprus to including House president Yiannakis Omirou, mark the dark anniversary, culminating in a march DISY president and Chairman of the Cyprus- to the genocide memorial in Nicosia’s Armenia Armenia Friendship Group in the House Averof Street. Neofytou, AKEL MP Stefanos Stefanou, DIKO It is estimated that 1.5 million Armenians perished MP and former House president Marios Garoyian, between 1915 and 1923 with modern Turkey – the EDEK MP Giorgos Varnavas, DISY MEP Eleni successor to the Ottoman Empire – refusing to Theocharous and the Armenian representative acknowledge the event as a targeted genocide. For in the House, Vartkes Mahdessian –was one of decades, the denial of this crime has been at the many tributes testifying to Cyprus’ respect for the heart of the policy and diplomacy of the Turkish millions of victims. state, although there have recently been growing Only weeks earlier, on 2 April, the House of voices within civil society in Turkey to recognise Representatives enacted legislation making it a the reality of the genocide. crime to deny the genocide. The vote coincided On 24 April 1975 Cyprus became the first with the official visit to Cyprus of the Speaker of the European country (and the second worldwide, Armenian National Assembly, Galust Sahakyan, after Uruguay) to officially recognise the genocide to mark the 100th anniversary. Sahakyan, who via a unanimous parliamentary resolution. It has was accompanied by Deputy Speaker Eduard since been recognised by more than 20 nations – Sharmazanov and a number of MPs, addressed including France and Russia – as well as a number the plenary of the House of Representatives and of international organisations, including the attended other commemorative events. European Parliament, the Council of Europe, and That same week saw Cyprus issue a stamp to the World Council of Churches. mark the anniversary of the genocide. The stamp During the commemorative events in Yerevan, depicts the building of the Melkonian Educational the Armenian Church canonised some 1.5 million Institute in Nicosia that hosted orphans from Armenians massacred in the Ottoman Empire, Ottoman Turkey and became established as a focal while hundreds of thousands joined a procession
30 The Speaker of the Armenian National Assembly, Galust Sahakyan (left), receives a gift from Cyprus House of Representatives Speaker Yiannakis Omirou during an official visit by the former to Cyprus in April this year to the hilltop memorial of Dzidzernagapert in Garoyian noted that the people of Cyprus are Yerevan carrying candles and flowers to place also suffering from Turkey’s expansionist policy, by the eternal flame at the centre of a monument adding that its troops illegally occupy Cyprus’ commemorating the mass murder. northern part, violating the human rights of all Addressing the ceremony in Yerevan, Anastasiades Cypriots. He reiterated that Cyprus and Armenia said that remembering the mass killings by the are fighting a common struggle for the prevalence Ottomans was the duty of all of mankind, as he of justice and international law. called on Turkey to accept it had committed “While the world rightly looks to 24 April as genocide. “It is indeed high time to recognise the centenary date of the start of the Armenian historical facts as this would pave the way for Genocide,” said Theo Theodorou, spokesman for the normalisation of relations with neighbouring Lobby for Cyprus in London, “the world should countries and would undoubtedly contribute to world peace,” he said. not forget that after the Ottoman Turks had killed its Armenian population, it turned its attention on Attending the Global Forum Against the Crime of the Assyrians in the southeast of the country and Genocide in Yerevan during the commemorative then, later, on to the Pontus Greeks, in the northeast. events, Garoyian, who is of part Armenian descent, expressed grief for the suffering of the Many Armenian Genocide survivors managed Armenian people and reaffirmed his full support to get to Cyprus, where they renewed their lives to the international recognition of the Armenian and made valuable contributions to Cyprus. Sadly, Genocide. He stressed that it was the duty of the with the Turkish invasion and illegal occupation international community to condemn crimes of the north, over forty years ago, many of those against humanity and called for the genocide to be Armenians and their descendants were forced to internationally recognised. flee with their Greek neighbours.”
31 Zenobia Week
ome 150 people dived the Zenobia shipwrecks in the world,” he said, adding Sshipwreck off Larnaca on 27 June 2015 as further that a number of Greek divers had part of a mass event to mark Zenobia Week, brought the Greek flag to the wreck during the which ran from 23 until 30 June. event to show support to the country while its The dive was jointly organised by the leaders negotiate a bailout agreement. Municipality of Larnaka and the town’s tourism To wrap up the week of events on 30 June, a development and promotion company ETAP. conference was held on managing artificial reefs President of ETAP Dinos Lefkaritis told the under the auspices of the Ministry of Agriculture, Cyprus News Agency that Zenobia Week was Natural Resources and Environment. a huge success. He said dozens of divers had come from abroad specifically to take part in The largest shipwreck in the Mediterranean the mass dive, at what is considered one of the The Zenobia sank in June 1980 on its maiden world’s top ten dive sites. voyage from Sweden to Syria when it capsized A series of events, lectures, exhibitions – including off Larnaka. It is the largest shipwreck in the an outdoor display along the Phinikoudes seafront Mediterranean at 174 metres long, 28 metres – and a video competition were held. wide and 21 metres high. It held 108 shipping Lefkaritis said the wreck attracts around 45,000 containers full of cargo such as cars, military divers a year. “The Zenobia is one of the best equipment, telecommunication systems, air
Free Cruises to the Zenobia
Larnakas underwater world photography exhibition
32 Photo by Pantelis Kranos, 2nd Prize winner in the Zenobia Shipwreck Photo Exhibition
Source: www.zenobiaweek.com Source: www.zenobiaweek.com conditioning systems, toys and food. Wrasse, to name but a few. In fact, the marine It was also carrying a million eggs, many of life in and around the wreck is unique, and the dive site is currently rated amongst the top ten which are still intact on the seabed. wreck dive sites of the world. The Zenobia Today the Zenobia wreck has become a wreck dive is an absolute must, for all serious protected artificial reef, with many species of divers visiting Cyprus. fish making it their home, including Dusky The wreck, which sank at a depth of around and Striped Groupers, Sea Bass, Amberjacks, 42 metres is easily accessible and is just 10 Barracuda, Parrotfish, a variety of Bream and minutes by boat from the mainland.
33 Photo by Stelios Christodoulou, 1st Prize winner in the Zenobia Shipwreck Photo Exhibition
Source: Cyprus Mail Source: www.zenobiaweek.com
Larnaka’s underwater world photography Zenobia shipwreck as an important source and painting exhibition of income Zenobia Week included the Outdoor Underwater Larnaka authorities and the company that World Photography Exhibition at the entrance owns the Zenobia shipwreck marked the end of Larnaka Marina with photographs from the of Zenobia week with a joint statement on how Zenobia and surrounding marine life, as well important the wreck is to the national economy. as an outdoor painting exhibition with creations They said the shipwreck contributed over €14 by Larnaka school children, which was million to the economy annually and called displayed along the Phinikoudes promenade. It on the government to ban fishing in the area, was entitled Wrecks and the Marine Life. which has become an important artificial reef.
34 The statement said Zenobia Week 2015, which Bottom Boats starting from Larnaka Marina, was jointly organised by the Larnaka Tourism and underwater scooter demonstrations. Board, Larnaka Municipality, Cyprus Dive For information: www.zenobiaweek .com Centres Association and the Zenobia shipwreck owner, had yet again been a great success. “A large number of tourists choose Cyprus and Zenobia shipwreck photo exhibition Larnaka as a holiday destination just to dive at The Larnaka Tourism Board (ETAP) held the specific location,” the statement said. a photography competition to depict the Local authorities estimate that Zenobia attracts Zenobia shipwreck and its surrounding marine some 45,000 divers a year, making it one of life. ETAP said the Zenobia had become an the best dive sites. So ETAP president Dinos exceptional artificial reef, hosting thousands of Lefkaritis said he could not comprehended species of fish and other marine life and that why there was such a lack of interest by local was why the competition sought to record this authorities to clamp down on illegal fishing impressive world and present it to the wider in the rare reef. “It is inconceivable for illegal public. fishing to be continuing in the location, which The competition was divided into two constitutes the most important reef in Cyprus categories: Zenobia Marine Life and Zenobia and should have been protected,” Dinos Shipwreck. Lefkaritis said. The winners of the Zenobia Marine Life category were: Stelios Christodoulou (1st Prize) A number of exciting events and Pantelis Kranos (2nd Prize); and of the Zenobia Week included 45-minute cruises for Zenobia Shipwreck category: Pantelis Kranos the public to the Zenobia wreck with Glass (1st Prize) and Argyris Bakas (2nd Prize)
Source: www.zenobiaweek.com
35 Deneia Lecture Series
19 March – 14 May 2015
he Cultural Services of the Ministry of to keep cultural expression alive through a series TEducation and Culture and Community of activities that have to do with education, Council of Deneia held a lecture series on sport and most importantly, the expression of Deneia, a village in the Nicosia District of love for nature. The natural environment is Cyprus with a wealth of history and one of only inextricably linked with culture, as nature itself four villages located within the United Nations through its flora and fauna is the most inspired Buffer Zone. art exhibition and the most poetic performance. Opening the Series, the Director of the Cultural It is for this reason that the Cultural Services Services of the Ministry of Education and of the Ministry of Education and Culture Culture, Pavlos Paraskevas, said Deneia was a open this small but substantive series of Community with great cultural interest, mainly lectures on Deneia with a speech by Senior due to its history and the many findings that Officer of the Forestry Department, Mr Takis have been unearthed during archaeological Papachristoforou, with the title: “The plants of excavations. the wider area of Deneia”. The conjugation of “Its name itself is reminiscent of the ancient culture and natural environment is undeniable; Cypriot town of Dionia, or Dionaea, who the first painting that the eyes of residents in the was the daughter of goddess Aphrodite. remote community of Deneia see each morning, Unfortunately, research has so far not is the one that was created by God’s hand. Far managed to piece this part of the puzzle from the confusion of the city and the rumble of together to provide a comprehensive picture everyday life in an urban environment, people and continuation to Deneia’s historical façade. can connect with the divine though a lucid Today, Deneia’s three hundred residents strive relationship and clear head.
36 The Holy Church of Agios Charalambos, the community.” community’s main site of religious worship, Mr Paraskevas thanked the local authorities of is also of special interest in terms of cultural Deneia for assisting his Services in preparing expression, due to the structure’s architectural a qualitative series; especially the community’s value. Every church, as a building dedicated to President, Christakis Panayiotou “for the zeal God, cannot but be considered as a monument he showed in implementing this idea”. and indeed of vast significance. In his address, the President of the Community The interesting lecture series continues with of Deneia, Christakis Panayiotou, said Deneia’s a speech by Archaeological Officer at the singularity was down to the significant Department of Antiquities (of the Ministry of archaeological sites that can be found in the village. Communications and Works), Mr Georgios Georgiou, entitled: “Ancient Deneia, an “Historically, it goes back to the prehistoric important settlement at the island’s centre”. times and the large-in-size necropolises of Despite the erroneous prevailing impression the Bronze Age, which are considered to be that our knowledge of the past has reached the biggest in Cyprus,” Panayiotou explained. a dead end, archaeological research has “However, the area’s inhabitation continues repeatedly refuted those who insist on this incessantly throughout the ensuing historical idea. The excavations at the Amphipolis tomb eras, until this day, referring us to a state that in Greece left the world speechless with the boomed unabatedly through time.” amazing artefacts that were brought to light. He added, “The ambitious goal of the Deneia Deneia is hiding behind the mist of a legend, Community Council is to rescue and showcase as random findings indicate towards great this wealth, in cooperation with various bodies surprises hidden beneath the community. – of the state or not – in order to create a feeling Through this lecture the aim is to provide the within its residents of appreciation and love dimension of a small but also exceptionally for the village and the archaeological treasures cultural community’s archaeological wealth contained within.” and long history. A team of researchers from the School of The series wraps with a lecture by renowned Architecture, Fine and Applied Arts at Frederick linguist, Mr Menelaos Christodoulou, who University also presented their findings from will analyse the linguistic origins of the excavations in Deneia.
37 Thoc Theatre’s main stage renamed ‘Evis Gavrielides Hall’
aying tribute to the late Evis Gavrielides as unrivalled aesthetics and awareness was a Pthe most emblematic figure in contemporary limitless source of inspiration for everyone,” Cypriot theatre and wishing to perpetuate his Thoc said. great legacy, the board of the Cyprus Theatre Born in Paphos in 1929, Evis Gavrielides Organisation (Thoc) decided on 21 April, 2015 graduated from the Karolos Koun School to name the Main Stage of the new Thoc theatre of Dramatic Arts in Athens in 1952 and building ‘Evis Gavrielides Hall’. studied directing in London and Chicago. He Gavrielides, father of Cypriot theatre, died on specialised as a television director in New York 15 April, 2015 and was buried the following and Paris and worked as an actor in Athens. day. In a statement issued on the day of his On his return to Cyprus in 1959, he launched death, the Cyprus Theatre Organisation said the his cooperation with the Cyprus Broadcasting theatre world of Cyprus was mourning the loss Corporation (CyBC) as a director for radio and of one of its very own. “The theatre community television. of Cyprus is mourning the loss of a much loved In 1960 he made his first appearance as a man who dedicated his entire life to art and director in Cyprus in cooperation with United the theatre with boundless faith, creativity and Artists. With Gavrielides as director, the troupe ethos,” it said. “A steadfast man with a passion staged Arthur Miller’s anti-war drama All My for culture, he gave much to art and served as a Sons. The performance was well received. In role model to make the Cyprus theatre what it is the following year, Gavrielides directed the today,” the statement added. “His inexhaustible first production of an ancient Greek drama by humour, erudition in combination with his a professional Cypriot troupe, Aristophanes’
Evis Gavrielides with his partner in theatre and life, Tzeni Gaitanopoulou, at Epidauros in 2013 (copyright Cyprus Theatre Organisation)
38 Photo by Demetris Vattis
Plutus (Wealth) at the newly established Organisation featured at the Epidavros OTHAK. Festival in 1980 with the production of The From 1969-191, he founded and headed Suppliants, directed by Nicos Charalambous. CyBC’s Theatraki (small theatre) as artistic The legendary performance of Samia, director, which became the precursor of the which he directed for the first time in 1993 Cyprus Theatrical Organisation (Thoc). In 1975 was deservedly ranked among the best ten he took over as director of Thoc, a position productions in the history of the Epidavros he held until 1989. During his tenure he was Festival. It was revived in October 2012 for responsible for dozens of productions, among the inauguration of the new Thoc building them Othello, The Cherry Orchard, Michalis and travelled again to the ancient theatre at o Sfiriktras (Michael the Whistler), School for Epidavros in the summer of 2013 in what was Clowns, Dyskolos (The Grouch), Filumena Gavrielides’ last cooperation with the Cyprus Marturano, To Gatanin, Blood Wedding, The Theatre Organisation. Visit, The Wasps, The Birds, Samia, Twelfth Among various distinctions, he was honoured Night, La Ronde and Epitrepontes (Men at with the Thoc Grand Award at the first Arbitration). ceremony in 2001 and with the Excellence Thanks to Gavrielides, the Cyprus Theatre Award in Letters, Arts and Sciences in 2005.
39 THOC – Cyprus Theatre Organisation
Stamatia, the Argyropoulou pure comedy, she stubbornly refuses to see clan in 3 towns anything through anyone else’s eyes but her own. Hell-bent on what she deems nationally, morally By Costas Sotiriou and religiously correct, she ends up coming into A devastating monologue that plays out in the conflict with her surroundings and looking back period after the fall of the Greek military junta, on her life, having been left all alone. the play Stamatia, the Argyropoulou clan in Direction: Vangelis Theodoropoulos 3 towns, brought to the THOC stage in May Actor: Eleni Ouzounidou 2015, outlines the personal and family story of Sets and Costumes: Magdalene Avgerinou Stamatia Argyropoulou. Music: Nestoras Kopsidas Born in Athens in the mid-1930s, Stamatia is the Lighting: Sakis Birbilis daughter of a senior public servant, an average A New World Theatre production. prudent man with notions of that time. She is The play Stamatia, the Argyropoulou clan in 3 engaged to a commander of the Hellenic Army towns was presented at the THOC Theatre in but lives in her home’s courtyard, unable to Nicosia on 28 May 2015, Markideio Theatre in observe life that is passing her by… Paphos on 29 May 2015 and Rialto Theatre in Sometimes a tragic figure, and sometimes just Limassol on 30 May 2015.
40 August: Osage County Lighting: Georgios Koukoumas By Tracy Letts Actors: Dinos Lyras (Beverly Weston), Ermina The action takes place over the course of several Kyriazi (Johnna Monevata), weeks in August inside the three-story home of Annita Santorineou (Violet Weston), Zoe Beverly and Violet Weston outside Pawhuska, Rigopoulou (Mattie Fae Aiken), Oklahoma. Niovi Charalambous (Ivy Weston), Philippos August. When Beverly Weston, the alcoholic Sofianos (Charlie Aiken), father of the Weston family disappears, a family Stela Fyrogeni (Barbara Fordham), Neoklis drama begins. His daughters and their families Neokleous (Bill Fordham), Marina Mandri arrive at the home to support their mother Violet (Jean Fordham), Loukas Zikos (Sheriff Deon Weston, a wayward and evil woman who has cancer and is addicted to pills and drink. The Gilbeau), Cristi Papadopoulou (Karen Weston), harsh criticism she exerts on everyone present Panayiotis Larkou (Steve Heidebrecht), at a family gathering triggers a lot of tension Andreas Tselepos (Little Charles Aiken) that will ultimately bring some dark secrets Assistant Director: Andreas Tselepos and unexpected revelations to the surface. Assistant Set Designer: Thelma Kasoulidou Tracy Letts’ play August: Osage County, which Stage Assistance: Maria Charalambous was the recipient of the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, is a dark comedy that promises to Video Design: Constantinos Demosthenous unveil the sides and secrets of a modern-day Painting: Martin Meason dysfunctional family. The play was presented in eight shows, on Translation/Direction/Music: Neophytos Taliotis Fridays and Saturdays starting 22 May 2015, at Sets/Costumes: Angelos Angeli the THOC theatre.
41 #katselaproject
Street artist Zabou in Athienou
amous French street artist Zabou was in Larnaka all share the same love for, I guess you could Fdistrict community Athienou on 26 April 2015 say that the purpose of the Katselaproject is to to take part in the local series #katselaproject make Athienou more vibrant,” #katselaproject (www.facebook.com/katselaproject), with her member Chrysostomos Iosifides told daily creation Beyond the Concrete. newspaper Cyprus Weekly ahead of the event. The #katselaproject team was created in Young graffiti artist Zabou, who lives permanently February 2015 by a group of young people from in London, worked with #katselaproject members Athienou. The team is characterised by creative on a creation that brought the old, grey wall of spirit, love for Athienou and a desire to promote an abandoned building on Markariou III Street in actions that deal with matters involving people Athienou to life with colour. today. The name #katselaproject (goat project) Entitled Beyond the Concrete, the mural depicts was selected in a bid to give some humour in a two hands, as if they belonged to the wall, message of art and creation from Athienou. The opening a zip that reveals a sky. project is non-profit. The members of #katselaproject were originally “It’s a poetic image that plays with the space. We brought together by the director of Athienou are surrounded by concrete and sad buildings. Municipality’s Kallinikio Museum, Noni Papoui Can we go beyond this?” asks Zabou. Papasianti. “The purpose of this meeting was to The project, Beyond the Concrete (Gi pou to bring designers together to create items for the kounkrin), was #katselaproject’s inaugural museum shop, but talking and enthusiasm made event, which also included a musical us drift away from the museum and concentrate programme by singer Andreas Pechlivanis and more on our community, Athienou, which we plenty of dance by Revolution Dance Studio.
Beyond The Concrete
42 Zabou
About Zabou world such as Icy and Sot, Hogre, Aiko and Zabou is an exciting street art talent who, many others. since bursting onto the scene in 2012 has been Referring to what this means for Zabou both gaining a growing reputation for her sharp personally and as an artist, she said it proved a stencil based art. Originally from France but milestone for her. “I guess it places me as one of based in London, her work can be found all the emerging stencil artists. It’s an honour to be over the East End, one of the world’s premier featured in a book, street art is ephemeral and places to see high quality street art. this is (perhaps the only) way to immortalise Her work is striking; her images are a mixture it,” Zabou told Cyprus Weekly newspaper. of stencil and freehand technique, combining Zabou was drawn to art from a very young both sharp lines, colourful shades, dripping and age. “I’ve been drawing and painting since splashes of paint. She plays on stereotypes and very little. When I moved to London for my pokes fun at conformity, from spray painting studies a few years ago, I was really impressed nuns to satirical takes on the surveillance state. by the quality and quantity of the street art and It is her growing reputation that led her to take graffiti scene over there and I decided to give part in shows such as TEDx Limassol, where it a try… I love the fact that street art is all she promoted the benefits of street art in aiding about taking over the environment, making it community regeneration, but also group shows more interesting, it’s surprising and may be where she paints with people from all over beautiful. Europe. (Source: http://zabou.me/street-art/). “It’s all about creating an outdoor gallery, free Last year, Zabou was featured in Planet Banksy, from censorship and free for everyone to see a book released and introduced by graffiti artist and enjoy,” she said. KET which features pieces of Banksy and Predominantly featuring works which include works by other street artists from around the the human element within them, Zabou believes
43 that using the human figure or animals is the of the #katselaproject series, according to best way to express emotions or situations. Chrysostomos Iosifides. “I have noticed that a lot of people identify themselves with the figures in my artworks, A first for Athienou it’s great if they can feel a special connection with them,” said Zabou. “I’m at ease with The Athienou mural was Zabou’s first project painting in the street. There are always technical in Cyprus, followed by her participation in complications, so it can be a real challenge. But Limassol’s Street Life Festival on 2 May 2015. the great thing is that I get to meet and talk with But it is also Athienou’s first ever piece of a lot of people, those interactions are priceless,” graffiti art: a step towards opening up a different she concluded. kind of dialogue within the community. “I am really excited to paint Athienou’s first mural. I hope the inhabitants will enjoy it, and Zabou in Cyprus that it will encourage more street art or creative Zabou’s work explores varying themes – initiatives for the community in the future,” sometimes social, sometimes political and at Zabou said ahead of the festival. times more poetic – while her participation In hindsight, the innovation of the project has in the #katselaproject on the island aimed not gone unnoticed. to encourage more street art and creative “For #katselaproject, it means a lot that something initiatives for the community in the future. like this was introduced to our community,” Zabou was introduced to the island through her explained Iosifides. “There was a lot of positive participation in the recent TEDx conference in feedback and the people of Athienou are now Limassol, where she spoke about her work and anticipating the next one…There are now a good street art in general. amount of people who are suddenly offering And it was her talk at TEDx Limassol that their walls! I personally wouldn’t mind turning provided the inspiration for the first project Athienou into a street art gallery.”
‘Less Cleaning More Street Art 2’ – Gloucester, UK – 2014 “Protect” – Zabou – 5×3.5m – Limassol, Cyprus – 2015
44 Street Life Festival
he Street Life Festival, organised by Gifts massage as well as the uplifting and dance beats Tand Gadgets and The Copy Shop, brought of DJ Mike Skap, DJ Monday, the COOP Band, life again to the streets of Saripolou and The Leftovers, Frapedes, Kommenes Chordes Athenon in Limassol. and Blue Mushroom. On 2 May 2015, more than 10,000 visitors filled International graffiti artists, the unpredictable the popular streets of Saripolou and Athenon, Zabou from France and Kiwie from Latvia, in the old town of Limassol. Designated walls joined the best 30 Cypriot crews among became the canvas and the inspiration for many them being Edmon 1419, Olak, Opsis, Rate, street artists, from all around the world, who Paparazzi and Angel to create works for the wanted to express their creativity. Impressive ninth edition of Street Life Festival. and colourful graffiti art made the streets stand out, giving them a more contemporary and Street Life Festival has been organised urban character. annually since 2007 and aims to bring a funky Apart from the amazing graffiti drawings, many and alternative twist to the city of Limassol, to other activities drew the attention of the public inspire expression, to bring people together and making their day as memorable as possible: to offer an urban perspective that resembles A bazaar with various handicrafts, interactive other European cities. Now, Street Life Festival games, incredible choreographies, cool stunts is considered one of the biggest annual festivals with skateboards, jogglers, body painters, street organised in the old town of Limassol.
45 Creative Visions: Anastasios G. Leventis and West Africa
Temporary Exhibition 6 May – 5 October 2015
ew people can change the world that during West Africa’s journey to innovation – Fsurrounds them. Creative Visions: Anastasios and specifically the newly-established states of G. Leventis and West Africa; an exhibition that Ghana and Nigeria from 1960 to today. outlines one man’s road to success; a nation’s The exhibition addresses timeless, deeply struggle for freedom; and a bold generation of humane notions that go past the geographical new artists’ transition to modernism. From Ghana borders of West Africa. One could say they are to Nigeria, from colonialism to independence – of particular significance to Cyprus, as they a journey as walked by Anastasios G. Leventis, approach the meaning of identity, personal and through art, photography and documents brings national, the desire of peoples to be rid of the the A.G. Leventis Gallery to life. shackles of the past, the artists’ quest to create a Marking its first anniversary, the A.G. Leventis new, topical visual language, but also the need Gallery decided to dedicate this special of each human being to dream and create. At exhibition to the life of its founder, Anastasios the same time, visitors get the chance to take a G. Leventis, but also the new contemporary trip back into the past and follow A.G. Leventis artistic tradition that is now blooming in West Africa following its liberation from through two continents – Europe and Africa – in colonialism. The exhibition, running from 6 an exciting, 76-year journey from 1902 to 1978. May to 5 October 2015, focuses on the life The A. G. Leventis Gallery collaborated with of an inspired, creative man with a vision and the A. G. Leventis Foundation - Nigeria, insight, but also the artists who developed Gallery Tiwani – London, and the Director of
46 Chris Ofili, Woman
47 OFILI, Black Paranoia
48 AG Leventis as Minister Plenipotentiary and Ambassador Mr & Mrs Leventis of Ghana to France 1958 the Museum of Natural History A. G. Leventis, Africa. He arrived on the Gold Coast in 1920 Obafemi Awolowo University, Awolowo Adisa and with his vision mapped out the future of art. Ogunfolakan - Nigeria. The exhibition is enriched Ghana and Nigeria became his second homes; with artefacts, photos and other objects from he loved the people and respected their culture. Anastasios G. Leventis’ personal archive and the The exhibition Creative Visions: Anastasios A. G. Leventis Foundation archives in London G. Leventis and West Africa takes the visitor and Athens. Traditional fabrics were borrowed through the evolution of a dynamic, active, and from Anthony Griffiths, the former Curator of the scholarly Cypriot man, who dared to make his Department of Prints and Drawings of the British dream a reality and shape his own future. Museum in London and the Curator of the Textiles Department of the British Museum, Jude Rudoe. The exhibition presents photography, The works of Nigerian modern artists came from traditional and contemporary art, all co-existing the Leventis and David family collections. in different worlds; the worlds of commerce, geopolitics, economy and visual art. Besides the first decade of the 20th century, visitors are Anastasios G. Leventis taken through the era of historical changes, in The African Continent was the vision and the 1950s and 1960s. springboard for a new beginning for many Europeans – including Cypriots – who sought a better future in its exotic surroundings after From Lemythou to Lagos, a life journey two world wars. Lemythou, Petra, Cairo, Marseilles, Bordeaux, Anastasios George Leventis, born at the start of Abeokuta, Accra, Ibadan, Kano, and Lagos – to the 20th century in Lemythou of the Limassol name just a few of the landmarks in the life- District, was one of the first to migrate there journey of Anastasios G Leventis, that is traced and has gone down in history as a definitive most vividly by the exhibition Creative Visions figure in the contemporary history of Western – Anastasios G. Leventis and West Africa.
49 Inaugurated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prince TWINS SEVEN-SEVEN at the A. G. Ioannis Kasoulides, on May 5 2015, the Leventis Gallery exhibition illustrates a world on the cusp of (Ibadan, Nigeria, 1944-2011) change, journeying in the 1950s and 1960s, from Painter, draughtsman and printmaker Prince colonialism to independence, and from tradition TWINS SEVEN-SEVEN also produced to modernity. Photographic material documents the changes visible in the urban fabric of metalwork and designs for textiles; he was Nigerian and Ghanaian cities undergoing an actor, musician and author as well. A dramatic transformation. Artworks from renowned artist of the Osogbo School, he Nigeria’s first generation of Modernist painters exhibited widely and on an international level, reflect the dynamic art scene emerging in the for instance at the Centre Georges Pompidou, newly independent state, while tribal sculpture Paris, the Contemporary Arts Museum, and traditional textiles underline the omnipresent Houston, the Museum of Modern Art, New balance between tradition and innovation, the York, the National Museum of African Art of Western looking and the indigenous, the survival the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, of the past in the turn towards the contemporary. and the National Modern Art Gallery, Lagos. This unique world is seen alongside the story of His works reflect the cosmology and mythology a man who played his part in shaping Ghana’s of Yoruba culture and are densely populated and Nigeria’s future – a foreigner, accepted by with a multitude of figures, fantastic creatures, Ghanaians and Nigerians as one of their own – ghosts and spirits, drawing on Yoruba stories, and of those who continued his legacy. myths, religion and folklore. His linear style The exhibition hosts works by Twins Seven- sprawls to take over the entire paint surface. He Seven, Jimoh Buraimoh, Bruce Onobrakpeya also practiced what is described as ‘sculpture along with a variety of other artists who painting’, raising the foreground of a work represent the first generation of West African to create a low relief. In 2005, he was named contemporary artists of the 1960s and 1970s. UNESCO Artist for Peace.
50 A.G. Leventis Gallery’s new temporary first generation of contemporary artists of the exhibition focuses on A. G. Leventis’ time in 1960’s and 1970’s. West Africa, exploring in parallel the beginning Many of these artists are well known around of a new ‘modern’ art that developed in Ghana the world and their works are on display in in Nigeria, after their independence in 1957 and famous museums and art galleries. 1960, respectively. The artistic creation, which emerged at the Chris Ofili – A British artist with a Nigerian time of Nigerian independence, portrays a origin world in which the visual arts and the process of decolonisation worked together to increase ‘The studio is a laboratory, not a factory’ national consciousness, ultimately resulting in Chris Ofili was born in Manchester in 1968 to new ways of thinking about the possibilities of Nigerian parents. He studied in London at the artistic practice. Chelsea School of Art from 1988 until 1991 Artists, many instructed in the Western artistic and at the Royal College of Art from 1991 to tradition, constructed a visual vocabulary that 1993, where he got his MA. Five years later, in drew on forms, patterns and even materials 1998, he was awarded the Turner Prize. seeped in Nigerian heritage. In the exhibition By 2000 his work was in the permanent we encounter works by Twin Seven-Seven, collections of the Victoria and Albert Museum, Jimoh Buraimoh, Bruce Onobrakpeya and London, the Tate Gallery, London, and the a number of other artists that represent the Museum of Modern Art, New York.
Twins Seven-Seven, Maijeja Twins Mother in Valaijelije, 1964 Twins Seven-Seven, Untitled, c 1960
51 In 2003 he represented Britain in the 50th Following on from a successful summer Biennale of Venice. His works are vibrant, workshop in 2014, the Gallery offered a two- technically complex and meticulously executed, week programme for children aged 8-12 years consisting of layers of paint, resin, glitter and old, taking as its theme its current temporary collage. Ofili often incorporated elephant dung exhibition Creative Visions: Anastasios G. into his work. His paintings are concerned with Leventis and West Africa. issues of black identity, religion, social and With Leo as their guide, our young adventurers cultural stereotypes and gender, often creating had a unique experience following A. G. a ‘bridge’ between high and ‘low’ art. Leventis’ first steps on the African Continent. Two works by Chris Ofili, one of the most Through a series of interactive, creative important artists of his generation, are on workshops they got to see and know West display at the A. G. Leventis Gallery, in Africa; its history, culture and traditions from its current temporary exhibition. ‘Creative the beginning of the 20th century until the Visions: A. G. Leventis & West Africa’ gives the present day. They also compared and contrasted visitors the opportunity to explore the concept this important period in West Africa’s history of a racial identity, through the works of art of a with the corresponding period in Cyprus’ history, exploring the A. G. Leventis’ Cypriot new generation that imagine a different world. Collection as well as The Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia. And something for the kids! This exciting adventure began on 29 June The A. G. Leventis Gallery also planned an 2015 at the A. G. Leventis Gallery. First stop: African Adventure this summer for its young fans. Abeokuta!
52 Cementography
A documentary by Nicolas Iordanou and Sylvia Nicolaides
ementography is a wonderful three-year known about the existence of this form of art Cjourney. It is a documentary about an art and the process followed to create it. form that carries a Cypriot identity. From the Because this technique was ‹born› in recent sketched idea on paper, to the making of the years, it did not even have a name, which in polystyrene mould, to the celebration of the turn provided Costas Economou with the finished piece, this documentary follows artist opportunity to create a new term to describe it Costas Economou’s creation of his latest works and introduce it to the world, and thus bring it using cementography over the course of some into existence: ‘Cementography’. three years. Introduced for the first time by the During filming of the documentary, young innovative Cypriot artist Christoforos Savva in artists had the chance to become familiar with the 1960’s and continued today by the 90-year- this technique and have already started trying to old artist Costas Economou, this technique create their own artwork using cementography. transformed its decorative elements into a new This documentary became the link between and exciting form of art. two very distant generations, bringing them Even though such cement masterpieces by both together and making them realise that they have Savva and Economou adorn several public and more things in common than they previously private spaces all over Cyprus, very little was thought.
Christoforos Savva 1956
53 Attempt 1 - Christos Foukaras 1977
Costas Economou working on ‘Morfeas’ polystyrene mould, 1989 Costas Economou and Christoforos Savva, Paris 1957
About the directors international project called Challenging Walls in Nicholas Iordanou collaboration with Akademie der Künste – Berlin and Sibylle Bergmann, whose goal was to bring Born in 1975 in Paphos, Cyprus, Nicolas Iordanou conflicted communities closer, having a common studied Fine Arts at Harold Washington College and Photography at Columbia College Chicago. vision of peace and coexistence. This project was exhibited in Abu Dis, Israel/ Palestine. In 2000 he was assigned as a photographer in ‘CITY2000’ (Chicago in the Year 2000), a In October 2009 he held his first solo exhibition project about the social and cultural aspects of titled Prologue at the Centre of Contemporary Art Chicago, which was exhibited at the Museum of Diatopos in Nicosia, Cyprus. In 2010 he worked Science and Industry of Chicago in 2001. From as a Director of Photography in the Italian film 2001 until 2006 he worked as a photojournalist, From Father’s Eyes and in 2012 he co-directed the dealing with conflict and post-war photography short film About Us. In 2013 he participated in the in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Palestine/Israel, exhibition Catharsis/Rebirth in Paphos, Cyprus and Uganda, Lebanon and also covering the 9/11 co-directed a short film presentation from it, which attacks on New York City. He collaborates pro was selected and presented in the Louvre Museum bono with the United Nations (UNHCR) and in Paris as part of Michelangelo Pistoletto’s with Doctors of the World. exhibition Annee Un – Le Paradis Sur Terre (Year In 2005 he was invited by the Goethe Institut One - Paradise on Earth). In 2014 he co-directed as a reviewer in the 1st Photography Festival of the mockumentary Salvador and in 2015 the Berlin. In 2007, he was assigned to photograph an documentary Cementography, a three-year project.
54 Sylvia Nicolaides 2011 she was short-listed at the Façade Video Born in 1984, Sylvia Nicolaides originally Festival in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. In 2013 she trained in education focusing on the visual arts participated in the exhibition Catharsis/Rebirth and received a Bachelor’s Degree from the in Paphos, Cyprus and co-directed a short film presentation from it, which was selected and University of Cyprus and a Master’s Degree from presented in the Louvre Museum in Paris as part the University of Exeter in the UK. In 2010 she of the Michelangelo Pistoletto’s exhibition Annee received her Bachelor’s Fine Arts Degree from Un – Le Paradis Sur Terre. In 2014 she directed Chelsea College of Art and Design (University the 3D video art Airground which premiered at of the Arts) London and her second Master’s the 3D Korea Film Festival in Seoul and was Degree in Audio-Visual Studies in the Academy awarded with the Jury’s Special Prize. In the of Performing Arts, in the Film and Television same year she co-directed the mockumentary department (FAMU) in Prague, Czech Republic. Salvador and in 2015 the documentary She participated in several group art exhibitions Cementography a three-year project. and her films were screened at several film http://www.cementography.net/ festivals both in Cyprus and internationally. In screenings/4587008984
‘Dionysus’ - Christos Foukaras, Mariam Souhanova 1984
Film stills ‘Lovers’ - Costas Economou 1991
55 A Crush on German Short Films
RTos Foundation in collaboration with the puberty and is based on real life interviews with AGoethe-Institut in Cyprus presented the open teenagers, and Roadtrip by Xaver Xylophon air screening of A Crush on German Short Films (Germany 2014), which revolves round Julius on 4 June 2015 for the fourth consecutive year. and his insomnia. The programme also included The screening was part of the 7th X-Dream Frieder Schlaich’s Three stones for Jean Genet Festival. A Crush on German Short Films, (Germany 2014), a 7-minute documentary the successful German-French collaborative about singer Patti’s Smith’s journey to French writer Jean Genet’s grave in Larache, Morrocco. project of the AG Kurzfilm - German Short Film Association, German Films, the Goethe-Institut Lyon, the festival management in Clermont- Programme Ferrand, and the Kurz Film Agentur Hamburg Alienation - presented another exceptional programme Laura Lehmus (German 2014 – animation – 6’) this year. Eight outstanding German short films An animation about puberty, based on real life were selected from more than 430 entries at the interviews with teenagers. Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival, ranging from bizarre and exciting to warm-hearted and Zwei zucker (Two sugars as always) hilarious stories. Thore Schwemann (Germany 2014 - fiction – 16’) The films included the animation Alienation Klara and Anton have spent their entire life by director Laura Lehmus, which is about together. Over the years, Anton’s dementia
Three stones for Jean Genet
56 Alienation
has increased – sometimes he even forgets his alcoholic father to an anti-varicose-campaign wife’s name. How is she supposed to deal with photo shoot without letting him know, is not her son trying to relocate him to a retirement helping particularly. The tragedy takes its home? She is still convinced of being able to course. care for him by herself... Three stones for Jean Genet Sonntag null (Sunday zero) Frieder Schlaich (Germany 2014 - documentary - 7’) Jochen Kuhn (Germany 2013 - animation – 10’) In April 2013, singer Patti Smith travels to the This is the prologue to a series of Sunday grave of French writer Jean Genet in Larache, excursions. In Sunday zero, the protagonist Morocco. She brings him three stones, which prefers to stay in bed and watch some of his she collected for him over 30 years ago. past dreams that his private dream interpreter has painted for him. Roadtrip Xaver Xylophon (Germany 2014 - animation - 20’) Schnick Schnack Schnuck (Rock, Paper, Julius is sleepless. To empty his head he decides Scissors) to go on a road trip, but somehow he is unable Philipp Dettmer (Germany 2013 - experimental to get moving. A hand drawn film about failure, fiction – 4’) insomnia, a red motorbike, and pretty bargirls, A construction site in a city. While cars are the bleakness of Berlin (even in summer) and slowly moving from A to B, we get a glimpse waterproof socks. of possible events taking place underground. Telekommando (Telecommander) Pitter patter goes my heart Erik Schmitt (Germany 2014 - fiction - 5’) Christoph Rainer (Germany, Austria, USA Volker Henk has been working for the local city 2014 - fiction - 23’) authorities of Berlin for years. He is in charge of Hopelessly romantic Lisa takes desperate the automation of urban activities. He impressively measures to win her former lover, a demonstrates the myriad of possibilities of his photographer, back. But the fact that he already universal remote control. But when it is stolen, has a new girl by his side and that Lisa takes her the city drowns in apocalyptic chaos.
57 Circus Arts Fest
RTos Foundation and the French Institute ways to watch the flow of information that Ain Cyprus in collaboration with the surrounds us. Municipality of Nicosia presented Circus Arts Fest, an outdoor circus arts performance, at Opticirque (30’) Eleftheria Square in Nicosia on 24 April 2015. Visual illusions show, by Longshow Company The festival presented two French acts: La Main S’affaire, a pair of hand-to-hand acrobats, and In this solo creation, through his own dreams and Longshow Company, offering a contemporary chimeras, Nicolas Longuechaud draws and shares juggling and graphic manipulation show. with the audience the singular story of one circus, his circus. Made from collective memory and The performances inspired by almost true stories, everything mixes All Right! (30’) up together for the character. Between circus, Acrobatic show, by La Main S’affaire cabaret, and fair theatre atmosphere, on the edge between hypnotic and graphic manipulations, A turbulent relationship between two artists: new magic, and curiosity sideshow, this show technical harmony but ideological opposition. opened up a world of wonder around perception. How can they demystify the entertainment and stimulate the critical mind set through Circus Arts Fest took place within the breath-taking acrobatic lifts? Through the use framework of the 7th X-Dream Festival. of humour, a touch of irony and solid acrobatic For more information, visit: skills, the duo showed that there are numerous www.artosfoundation.org
58 59 Opus 39 Gallery
My Pentadaktylos by William Dreghorn
pus 39 Gallery hosted an exhibition of ink and studies to map out the Cyprus landscape. The Odrawings and watercolours by Dr William first region for fieldwork was the Pentadaktylos Dreghorn (1908-2001) from 20 April to 2 May mountain range. At the same time, a British 2015, entitled My Pentadaktylos. professor of physical geography, Dr William The exhibition was opened by Member of the Dreghorn, arrived in Cyprus and having decided Cyprus House of Representatives Sophocles to retire to the island, joined the group of Cypriot Fyttis, of the Kyrenia Constituency, who is also geographers. His contribution was significant. Chairman of the House Committee on Human His drawings, besides their artistic and aesthetic Rights and Member of the House Committee value, also had a political and national message on Refugees-Enclaved-Missing-Adversely to convey. They would revive memories of Affected Persons. the unforgettable landscape, not knowing if During the late 1960s and early 1970s, a group the chance would ever be given in the future of Cypriot geographers founded the Cyprus for an artist to capture the uniqueness of the Geographical Association and began their research Pentadaktylos landscape in the same way.
60 Dereliction by Ioannis Macheriotis the last few years. In his fourth solo exhibition, artist Ioannis With Dereliction, which ran from 18 to 30 May Macheriotis uses the subject “Dereliction”, 2015, Ioannis Macheriotis’ intention was not which is both metaphorical and very timely. to spread pessimism or rage, but to contribute According to the artist, the title first reflects towards the awakening of mass consciousness that strange feeling in the gut when faced with and the prevention of further decay in our society or entering derelict spaces, and secondly and by putting these beautiful images on canvas. more importantly, the corruption and decay that Find more information on the Opus 39 Gallery emerged from our society during the crisis of Facebook page, or call 22-424983.
61 Sendall – In Cyprus 1892-1898: A Governor in Bondage
A book by Diana Markides
his vivid account of the administration of funds, established workable relations with Cypriot TCyprus headed by Sir Walter Sendall at communities and coaxed his superiors in London the end of the nineteenth century provides a into recognising the need for constitutional, fascinating insight into Cyprus’ affairs when financial and educational reform. the British occupation was still only slowly His achievements, readily acknowledged by taking root. the Cypriots, were remarkable against the We are made aware of the extent to which the background of a fragile regime that was, as he colonial administration had to find a modus put it, in ‘bondage’ to the Treasury. Tracing the vivendi within what was still an Ottoman dilemmas of Sendall’s governorship is shown province. London had been alerted to the to be essential to understanding the nature of need for a new man as the Cypriots became early British rule in Cyprus. dangerously disgruntled by the fact that the “It is this uniqueness of Sendall as a popular considerable tax burden they endured brought governor that engages Markides’ preoccupation few corresponding improvements. with her subject, and her quest to explain This account (Sendall – In Cyprus 1892-1898: A a phenomenon so much at odds with what Governor in Bondage) highlights the difficulties came later,” said Robert Holland, Centre for and contradictions created by the ongoing Tribute Hellenic Studies, King’s College London. “The payments, the underlying cause of the island’s enjoyment of this book is … simply to have financial problems. Nevertheless, Sir Walter narrated in rich detail that once upon a time in Sendall made the most of the meagre available Cyprus such a world existed.”
62 Pitis
Art Exhibition by Argentina Virginia Kakogiannis
loria Gallery in Nicosia hosted the art village by the Black Sea in Romania. She grew Gexhibition Pitis by Argentina Virginia up next to nature, learning to live by it, which in Kakogiannis on 9-20 June 2015. turn equipped her with useful knowledge. The collection, named Pitis, includes pastel Coming to Cyprus, where she settled down, she paintings that depict moments from the lives of started to paint and draw in her effort to transform pine trees, approaching their relationship with into pictures her emotions of love and care for her their surrounding environment as well as their people. Following a few self-creative years, she relationship with the humans. decided to attend, for a short period, art classes at The point of view chosen for each painting the Nicholas Panayi Art Studio in Nicosia, where attempts to pass on the sounds and smells of she participated in the Studio’s group exhibition. the forest, the light, the creation of nature. The Through her love of nature she began to create colours and shapes emit the power and energy paintings, mainly exploiting the tree. Travelling of the trees, which are so essential to us people. often all around Cyprus, seeking places of This is Argentina Virginia Kakogiannis’ first nature, far away from the city’s noise, she solo exhibition. She was born in Corbu, a small ended up with a collection about the pine tree.
63 Polychrome
Exhibition by Rodica Lomnasan and Nina Sumarac
hiaki Kamikawa Contemporary Art Gallery stages of preparation before printing. The result Cpresented a two-person exhibition entitled of colour etchings varies from print to print Polychrome with artists Rodica Lomnasan and therefore each work is a unique piece of art. Nina Sumarac on 16-30 May 2015. Serbian artist Nina Sumarac portrays people This exhibition focused on the use of colour with vivid colours. In her series Uninterrupted with different techniques and materials by two stare, Nina merges her subconscious visions artists. Various colours were explored by Nina with reality, and captures people in characteristic with drawings on paper, while Rodica expressed compositions. Most portraits describe people her passion for colour in printmaking. from their nose to knees. Models’ eyes are either Romanian artist Rodica Lomnasan’s primal cut from the composition, covered by glasses, means of expression is printmaking. In this or replaced by the head of bird-like creatures. exhibition she presented colour etchings We are usually drawn to look at the eyes of combined with aquatint technique. Rodica’s the picture, but in Nina’s pictures, our eyes are semi-abstract works are influenced by induced to see other details such as patterns of Mediterranean climate and mythology with the clothing, surreal objects and metamorphosis of twist of humour. The choices of colours are soft, the body. subtle and calm thus enhancing the nostalgic For more information please contact atmosphere of her works. Printmaking is a time- Chiaki Kamikawa on +357 99311225 consuming technique and it requires several or visit www.c-kamikawa.com
Nina Sumarac Rodica Lomnasan
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