What’s next for ‘festival that never ends’?

As Nicosia pitches itself as a cultural centre, ELENI PHILIPPOU looks at what is coming to the stage next

 In the heart of Nicosia, a cultural metamorphosis is underway. One local initiative seeks to place the capital higher up on the international artistic map and offer inspiring cultural productions all year round; The Nicosia International Festival is a ‘festival that never ends’.

Since 2019 when the festival held its inaugural edition, the Nicosia Municipal Theatre has hosted an impressive range of shows and parallel activities around town. Artists from the island and abroad have presented productions that touch on an array of, sometimes controversial, themes. This spring the festival announced it was extending its duration, transforming into an ongoing event. Currently in its fourth edition, the festival continues this notion and although the year is coming to an end, the festival is not.

“The ‘Festival that never ends’ is a sub-section of our Festival,” says its Artistic Director George Papageorgiou, “an attempt to keep the flame alive throughout the year and to continue presenting our audience with challenging productions which implement the festival’s philosophy.” This philosophy includes the promotion of equality and acceptance, the presentation of Nicosia as a multicultural city, supporting young Cypriot artists and presenting internationally reputable productions in Cyprus.

The philosophy behind it originated from the Nicosia Municipality’s strategy for culture when it bid to become the European Capital of Culture in 2017. When the title was awarded to Paphos, Nicosia kept its efforts up, one of the results being the Nicosia International Festival. Now, Nicosia has returned to the battle to become the island’s next European Capital of Culture and the festival has a role to play.

“Since its inception in 2019, the festival has been laying the ground for Nicosia’s bid for 2030, and the ever-expanding programme of performances and parallel events continues to enhance our know-how in hosting such events and builds our network of collaborating artists, both local and international,” added Papageorgiou.

In its four-year journey, the festival has brought world-renowned touring artists to Nicosia, often making their Cyprus debut. The acclaimed Akram Khan Dance Company was part of the first edition while Dimitris Papaioannou and the Ballet of the Greek National Opera took part in the festival in 2021 and this December Schaubühne’s Hamlet, directed by Thomas Ostermeier was presented in Cyprus for the first time.

Hoping to be a festival that welcomes all ages, children’s productions also play a big role in the festival’s agenda. The very popular Lazy Dragon by George Hadjipieris will return to Nicosia this year with performances coming up in the last week of 2023 while Still! A Statue that Travelled the World will be presented once again as the festival rolls into the new year.

A very busy start of the year will bring more productions to Nicosia, says Papageorgiou, keeping the momentum from this season. Commencing January’s programme will be the National Theatre of Northern Greece production of the timeless love story of Cretan Renaissance literature Erotokritos by Vitsentzos Kornaros on January 10. Next, the family production Still! A Statue that Travelled the World, which the festival premiered in 2021, will return for two shows on January 13 and 14.

A few days later, on January 16, a play by Nefeli Maistrali called Spyridoules will be presented, based on the true story of a 12-year-old housemaid who was abused physically and mentally by her employers and whose story empowered generations of women.

February will also have a packed agenda. A rather quiet spring will follow until the official Nicosia International Festival 2024 runs next September to December. Looking ahead, Papageorgiou offered a small glimpse of the festival’s focus for next year.

“Alongside internationally renowned artists the festival has, traditionally, presented Cypriot artists,” he said. “Starting in 2024, we inaugurate an effort to actively and systematically support young artists in their first steps as part of our #NIF_UNDER30 programme, exclusively for Cypriot artists under the age of 30. In February 2024, we will present the play Katabasis directed by Nefeli Kentoni and host the debut album presentations of Jo Lui, Avgi and the band Salty River.”

The programme, he added, will also include a tribute to emblematic 20^th Century Greek theatre songs and the lyrical musical journey Song without Borders with soprano Eleni Charalambous and pianist Christos Fountos.

Hosting a plethora of performing arts productions, the festival’s selection aims to engage local audiences as well as international crowds visiting or residing on the island. With the ever-evolving landscape of the arts and global changes, the festival tries to stay relevant while also bringing issues troubling Cypriot and European festival audiences to Nicosia’s central stage.

“Nicosia International Festival,” he concludes, “has over these first four editions been demonstrating that Nicosia Municipality and Nicosia For Art (the two organisers of the festival) want to and are actively working hard to establish Nicosia as a 21^st-century capital of culture.”

For more information on the Nicosia International Festival’s upcoming performances for 2023 and 2024 visit its official Facebook page @NicosiaIntlFestival