Poetry and queerness

Art is always there to allow expression to fly free, a dedicated advocate to sharing reflections and desires. Elias Konstantinou’s (1956–1995) poetry included erotic content and raw political views and this December 1, years since his death in 1995 and on World AIDS Day, the Department of Fine Arts of the Cyprus University of Technology is hosting the event Kypriaka Spirta Aphrodites inspired by his work.

“Konstantinou’s premature death from AIDS,” say the organisers, “the erotic content of his poetry and his uncompromising political thought have been identified as reasons he is not known to a wider audience. The event borrows its title from a poem by Konstantinou from his collection Arsenikos Halkos and seeks to continue the discussion around the critical reception of his work, raising questions on matters of visibility of queer individuals and their creative output.”

The event next Wednesday at the university will include a discussion by Pantelis Georgiou, Dr Stavros Stavrou Karayianni and Anastassis Pissourios as well as a poetry reading by Dimitris Chimonas and a video projection by Polys Peslikas. In honour of the day, a free rapid HIV testing will be available at the event in collaboration with K.Y.F.A. HIV/AIDS Support Centre, while the event will be accompanied by the publication Kypriaka Spirta Aphrodites edited by CEL and Dr Gabriel Koureas with poetry by creative individuals experimenting today with the poetic word.

Kypriaka Spirta Aphrodites

Event discussing Elias Konstantinou’s poetry, exploring queerness in the Cypriot landscape. December 1. Tassos Papadopoulos Building, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol. 7.30pm-9.30pm. Free. In Greek. [email protected]