Returning for another fun summer in the city is the beloved Nicosia festival Faneromeni23 and its range of cultural performances. In the heart of the old town, the courtyard of the Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation will welcome artists, performers, musicians and the public for a series of shows, screenings and artful nights. Under the title We are Tradition, the 2023 edition of the festival is about to begin and events will continue until the middle of September. All for free!

The festival’s selection of events brings together a carefully-curated blend of arts that will take audiences on a journey from tradition to today, highlighting cultural heritage. The first performance will take place on Thursday; a concert titled Thalassa Mou Esi under the direction of Christos Philippou. Greek mezzo-soprano Betty Charlauti and Cypriot singer Freideriki Tombazou, along with other musicians, will present a concert that sets sails across the historic ports of the Mediterranean.

Then on June 29, the musical performance Tis Psihis ta Chromata will take place, presenting original compositions by Chrysanthi Schiza in collaboration with contemporary Cypriot poets and songwriters. Traditional Cypriot songs will also be performed in alternative renditions as well as traditional poem recitations.

In July, the artistic team of pianist Manolis Neofytou will highlight the traditional music of Cyprus and regions of Greece with the sounds of two pianos, a lute, a violin, percussions and voice. The From East to West concert will take place on July 13.

Continuing July’s events will be another evening of music by the Rembetiki FaTrias ensemble which will blend the traditional sounds of Cyprus, Greece and Asia Minor. On July 27, three musicians will take over the Nicosia courtyard to present the Thelo Tragoudia na sou Po, Skopous na Sou Chorepso performance.

To conclude the festival, one final event remains for September 14 and it is a performance that starts from traditional Cypriot music and focuses on the important contribution of women and the role they had in its survival and transmission.

That is not all that will happen at the Faneromeni23 Arts Festival though. As with every year, a series of outdoor cinema nights will also take place, screening films for old and young. In collaboration with the Friends of Cinema Society, four films will be screened this summer. First up is the animation film AINBO: Spirit of the Amazon, which will be shown on July 6. On August 3, Ticket to Paradise will be screened while on August 31 Pil’s Adventure will entertain young cinema lovers. To wrap up the events, Top Gun Maverick will be screened on September 7.

Faneromeni23 Arts Festival

Annual summer festival with performances and cinema screenings. June 22-September 14. Courtyard of the Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation, Nicosia. Free. Tel: 22-128157. www.boccf.org