The shared energy of many perspectives will bring a riot of events to coastal town later this year

The time has come for the return of Cyprus’ largest international contemporary art event and preparations for its biggest edition yet are already in full swing. This spring marked stage one of Larnaca Biennale 2025 – the closing of the Open Call with hundreds of artists eager to participate and showcase their work in Larnaca. Now, the organising committee and this edition’s curator Sana López Abellán, are reviewing the proposals submitted for the 4th edition.

The 2025 edition returns on October 15 running for six full weeks until November 28 with the theme Along Lines and Traces. For over a month this autumn, Larnaca town and district will blossom once again into a vibrant cultural hub, connecting local and international artists, residents and visitors alike. Until then, the judges committee and the new curator are busy reviewing all applications and are expected to share the results of who made the cut by mid-May.

Growing in scale with each edition, this year saw a record-breaking 526 applications from 76 countries. Artists from across the world – from Argentina to Vietnam, from Iceland to South Africa – have submitted proposals for the 2025 edition.

What awaits the public this year is a dynamic programme of exhibitions, workshops, performances and parallel events open to all. Some will be free, others will have ticketed entry and the full agenda will be released closer to the time.

Curator Sana López Abellán

All events and artworks to be created respond to the 2025 theme – Along Lines and Traces. The theme reflects on metaphoric, symbolic and physical expressions of the past, the present and the future. From how lineages and traditions develop, how stories are told, how thoughts are constructed, to how we move, how we connect and communicate, and how meaning is created and understood.

It will come to life through curated art events and a carefully crafted sidebar programme addressed to all ages as well as artworks the selected artists will create specifically for Larnaca Biennale 2025. It is a process that is shaped together as the curator says, with the theme taking shape alongside the artists’ interpretation of it.

“Building the biennale from an idea,” says curator Abellán, “sprouting from a theme I imagined, and witnessing how an international community of artists responds is thrilling. Each brings a unique interpretation and voice. Together, step by step, we shape this edition, evolving through collaboration, creativity and the shared energy of many perspectives.”

Of course, she is not at it alone. Behind the scenes, she works closely with the founding organising team and the judges committee made up of local and international art experts (Massimo Scaringella, Dr Anca Boeriu, Stavros Ditsios, Costas Mantzalos and Froso Andreou). In less than six months, Larnaca will fill with curated art experiences that put the town even higher on the global art map.

Larnaca Biennale 2025

4th edition with exhibitions and parallel events of performances, workshops and happenings. October 15-November 28. Throughout Larnaca. www.larnacabiennale.com