Public spaces, coffee shops and traditional Cypriot venues will host ocus a new theatrical production. Titled Matziellemenes, the performance in Greek written by Giorgos Papaconstantinou is an artistic initiative by the informal youth group BOEM, reviving theatre in spaces such as cafés and town squares – bringing it back to the heart of society.

The aim of the initiative is to integrate art into daily life and foster social interaction, thus taking theatre outside of theatre halls and into everyday, ordinary spaces where all kinds of people hang out, not only theatre-loving folk.

For their production, the BOEM team has chosen coffee shops and town squares as they highlight the importance of open discussions on critical social issues while also shedding light on gender perspectives through both historical and contemporary lenses.

The first performance takes place at 7 Kleidia in downtown Nicosia on Monday while more dates and tour details are expected to be announced soon.

The performance begins with two young women meeting at a coffee shop. Through their dialogue, three iconic female figures from Cypriot folklore come to life: Androniki, Rigaina and Lygeri. The heroines return to the stage at the moment of their death, standing at the threshold between life and death, to share their stories and make their voices heard. The central question the play asks is ‘If they could speak one last time, what would they say?’

The play unfolds across two parallel timelines, shifting between reality and imagination. Through this theatrical approach, it bridges the past with the present, emphasising the role of tradition and history and their connection to modern society.

Matziellemenes

New theatrical performance by the BOEM group. April 7. 7 Kleidia, Nicosia. 8pm. In Greek. Tel: 99-830202