Five emerging artists from different European countries have come to Cyprus to immerse themselves in its culture and history through various guided tours, exhibitions and presentations. They will explore what divides us and unites us as European artists, drawing inspiration from their discoveries to fuel their creative work.

This collaboration takes place under the umbrella of Theatre in Palm, an EU-funded platform showcasing emerging artists, with the participation of the Cyprus Theatre Organisation.

On Monday 7 October 2024, the five emerging artists and their mentors, the actor and director Kostas Silvestros and the cultural curator Stavros Stavrou, along with the programme’s coordinator, Thoc’s Theatre Development Officer, Marina Maleni, were given a guided tour of the “Cyprus Island” exhibition at the Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation. “Cyprus Island: History - Memory - Reality” is a five-act presentation of the way of life on the island from antiquity to the present day, resulting in a timeless assessment of Cypriot identity and providing space for discussion and reflection.

In his welcome to the participants, Kostas Silvestros said: “We are using the shared capital of Nicosia to explore the lines dividing us as citizens of Europe. A Europe that is constantly in question. How much unites us and how much divides us? Through investigation, play, and discussions around – and within – the buffer zone, young European artists count their commonalities and differences. The investigation can begin with tangible things such as shared food, music, words, and customs, and extend to deeper issues like religion, society, the political system, worldviews, and family. These elements will serve as stimuli and will be the starting point for our meetings. We look forward to sharing a lot.”

The Cypriot Physical Residency team

Mentors:

▪Kostas Silvestros, Actor, Director (Cyprus)
▪Stavros Stavrou, Cultural Curator (Cyprus)

Participants:

▪Iris Virgilio, Composer, Pianist (Portugal)
▪Marcelo Doño, Dancer, Choreographer, Performer (Germany)
▪Pontus Linder, Performer, Choreographer (Finland)
▪Sofia Longhini, Actress, Author (Italy)
▪Szilárd Gaspar-Barra, Actor (Romania)

 “With the support of the Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation, as part of the events programme for the ‘Cyprus Island’ exhibition.