The Cyprus International Theatre Festival (CITF) is entering its final phase, preparing for its May line-up, while continuing its commitment to introduce the theatre-loving public of Cyprus—and beyond—to the world of contemporary theatre, by offering high-quality, internationally-acclaimed performances and renowned names from the global performing arts scene.

This month the spotlight is on four workshops/lectures on contemporary theatre by the renowned theatre critic Roman Dolzhansky, while the production “Healing”, based on the work of Mihhail Durnenkov, which affirms the power of art to inspire, and of the importance of empathy and understanding, will undoubtedly be the highlight of this year’s rich and diverse festival programme.

“Healing”: a captivating play

Two exceptional theatre stars, the renowned actresses Chulpan Khamatova and Yulia Aug, have come together in a creative duo, resulting in the production “Healing”, to be staged over May 3-4, 2025 at the Patticheio Theatre in Limassol, drawing an audience from various cultures and languages.

This is an exciting dramatic work with unexpected twists, centred around two characters: Anna (Yulia Aug) and Sonya (Chulpan Khamatova). The plot speaks of two women who, unaware of their familial relationship, enter into a bitter confrontation. During the conflict, they swap positions, leading to the realisation of the dangers of quick judgment and labelling of others. The ending underscores that, when one is placed in another’s shoes, they may not handle the situation as expected. The narrative serves as a reminder of the importance of empathy and understanding, before passing judgement on others.

The role “reminded me of how dangerous and foolish it is to judge others and to take pleasure in the sense of superiority”, noted Khamatova. “This fragile illusion can collapse in a moment.”

  • Duration: 1 hour, 35 minutes
  • Language: Russian, with Greek and English subtitles
  • Suitable for ages 14+

Festival Friends Club activities

On May 4, 2025, the first cycle of activities for the Festival Friends Club will begin, seeing famous cultural journalist, playwright and theatre critic Roman Dolzhansky deliver four lectures on contemporary theatre.

Dolzhansky, one of the leading experts in the field, is widely recognised for his in-depth international research on theatre and his long-standing involvement in major cultural projects. Last year, he worked with the artistic team on the stage adaptation of “Iphigenia in Aulis” that opened the Athens Epidaurus Festival, directed by Timofey Kulyabin, starring famous Greek actors, and drawing 15,000 spectators.

All lectures will be delivered with English translation.

For more information and a detailed schedule, visit the Cyprus International Theatre Festival (CITF) website. Tickets can be purchased through the CITF website or SoldOut Tickets.