Needle residency programme hosts six emerging artists

Larnaca 2030 is pleased to announce “Needle”, a multi-disciplinary artistic residency programme for six emerging artists. The programme has just launched at the organisation’s premises, in order to create new works inspired by the city’s cultural heritage.

Over the course of six weeks, the artists will experience Larnaca’s cultural richness, from antiquity to the present day – an experience expected to provide important triggers for new creations. Their canvas is the very soul of the city – its people, historical buildings, streets, sea and sunlight – to be transformed into new works, to be presented on Sunday, May 12, 2024 at an all-day art festival in Zouhouri Square.

The Needle project was proposed by George Antoniou, a young social innovation project manager from Larnaca, having won the national award in the 2023 “Be.CULTOUR” competition. The competition is a Horizon Europe programme, focusing on sustainable, people-centred innovations in circular cultural tourism, and managed by the Larnaca and Famagusta District Development Company.

Via Larnaca 2030’s public consultations of the “Art in Public Space” working group, Antoniou began to design the Needle in collaboration with cultural consultant Maria Kaimaklioti of the SCALA initiative. Subsequently, the idea was presented to the Phivos Stavrides Foundation and Larnaca 2030, with both organisations promoting it and actively supporting its implementation.

“The Needle is a social and artistic experiment that embodies our collective effort to address the cultural identity crisis facing Cyprus, by embracing and exploring our cultural heritage,” said Antoniou.

Hosting young artists at Larnaca 2030 will offer them valuable mentoring and career promotion opportunities, via the co-creation unique performances, live songs and interactive installations. Participants will get research mentoring from the Fivos Stavrides Foundation, and creative support from veteran artists.

At the same time, a series of roundtable discussions (“Needle & Thread Talks”) will open a fruitful dialogue with the audience. The culmination of the programme on May 12, 2024 will transform Zouhouri Square into a kaleidoscope of artistic creation, enriching Larnaca’s cultural life.

Guest artists include:

• Charis Abraham – Digital Art (@charisavraam)
• Hayat Sebep – Music (@hayatsebep)
• Hayayayepepep – Music (@kass.ka)
• Michalakis Georgiou – Architecture (@michalakisgeo)
• Nona Michael – Dance (@nona_mch)
• Panagiotis Minas – Music (@therealpannybrown)

Advisory group members:

• Angeliki Koutsodimitropoulou – Guidance in Architecture and Scenography, Visual Arts, Light Art (@angeriki)
• George Kyrou – Guidance in Design Thinking (@georgekyrou)
• Dr. Joseph Hadjikyriakos – Guidance in Historical Research, History of Larnaca (@larnacarchives)
• Mikaela Tsagari – Guidance in Songwriting, Music Production (@elbowroomstudios)
• Stavri Papadopoulou – Instruction in Performing Arts, Scenography (@onceinabluemoon)

Partner municipalities:

• Municipality of Larnaca
• Municipality of Aradippou
• Municipality of Dromolaxia – Meneou
• Municipality of Lefkara
• Municipality of Athienou
• Community of Pyla

Sponsors:

• Gold: Andreou Brothers, Ocean Basket
• Silver: METRO│ HF Markets Supermarkets
• Supporters: Sunshadow Investments
• Friends: Panikkos Livadiotis Group │McDonalds

Main Academic Partner:

• UCLan Cyprus University

Digital Partner:

• Ideaseven

Advertising / PR Partner:

• DeLeMa McCANN Cyprus

For more information, email: [email protected]