As far as the area of culture in Cyprus is concerned, the year 2023 was marked by the change of three persons (Yannis Toumazis, Michalis Hatzigiannis and Vasiliki Kassianidou) at the helm of the Deputy Ministry of Culture as well as by the death of important people who contributed a lot to Cypriot cultural events. KYPE summarizes what happened in 2023 in the country on a cultural level.
JANUARY 2023
Theater critic Nona Moleski has passed away, sadness of the Deputy Ministry of Culture
The Deputy Ministry of Culture expressed deep sadness over the death of theater critic Nona Moleski, whose, as he said in a statement, "her countless texts, the unique analyzes and 'readings' of the theatrical performances of our country contributed significantly to the development of the field as and in reviving interest in Cypriot theater and its creative process".
The foundation stone of the New Cyprus Museum was laid
The former President of the Republic, Nikos Anastasiadis, spoke of a historic day for Cyprus in his greeting for the laying of the foundation stone of the New Cyprus Museum in Nicosia, adding that like any modern country that respects and honors its history and culture , Cyprus gets its own National Museum. He added that the cost of building the Museum will amount to 144 million euros and the project is expected to be completed within 42 months.
The Literary and Criticism Club Awards Ceremony for the year 2022 was held
The Awards Ceremony of the Literature and Criticism Club (LCC) for the year 2022 was held, says a press release issued by the Club. During the ceremony, the "Vassilis Michaelides" Overall Contribution Award (2022) was awarded to Dimitris Daskalopoulos for his significant contribution to modern Greek literature and Cypriot letters. The Fiction Award was given to Andy Papadimitriou for his book "The Dissertation", while the Newcomer Award was given to Panagiotis Petsas for his poetry collection "On the Cycle of Ulysses". The Poetry Award was given to Maro Papaminas-Kallasidou for her poem "Elusive Loves", while the Short Story Award went to Constantia Katsari for her short story "The Division".
"Deep sadness" of the Deputy Ministry of Culture for the death of the musician Nikolas Filitas
The Deputy Ministry of Culture expresses its "deep sadness" over the death of Nikolas Filitas, founding member and singer of the Cypriot music group Prospectus, in a statement, noting that his loss leaves an irreplaceable void in the local music scene. Nikolas Filitas, reports the Deputy Ministry, was born in occupied Morphou and lived in Nicosia since 1974, while he was professionally involved in music from an early age.
FEBRUARY 2023
The Deputy Ministry of Culture expresses sadness over the death of the poet Pizza Galazi
The Deputy Ministry of Culture expresses its deep sadness at the death of one of the most important poets of Cyprus, Pizza Galazi, in a statement, noting that "the loss of Pizza Galazi leaves an unfilled void in the literature and intellectuals of Cyprus". Pizza Galazi was born in Limassol in 1940. She appeared in Cypriot literature while she was still a high school student. A student in Athens, she published there her first poetry collection entitled "Moments of Adolescence" (Athens, 1963), inspired by the Liberation Struggle of EOKA 1955-59. Her works "Trees and Sea" (1969), "Beacons" ( 1984) and "The Voice" (2017) were honored with the State Prize for Poetry, while in 1999 he was honored with the Lambros Porphyra Award of the Academy of Athens.
Kyriakou Pelagia passed away at the age of 86
The traditional performer Kyriakou Pelagia has passed away at the age of 86, her relatives announced in posts on social media. Also known as Mastorissa, as she was called by her colleagues, with her special interpretation of the Cypriot folk song, she was born in Paralimni on July 8, 1936 .
MARCH 2023
M. Hatzigiannis received the Deputy Ministry of Culture from G. Toumazis
We need the synergy of people of culture, said the former Deputy Minister of Culture, Michalis Hatzigiannis, during the handover ceremony of the Deputy Ministry of Culture, which took place in Nicosia. His predecessor, Yiannis Toumazis, addressing Michalis Hatzigiannis, said that 8 months ago he received a bill and that together with his colleagues they are handing over to him the Deputy Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Cyprus.
The inclusion of the commandery in the UNESCO International List is promoted, the President of the Cyprus National Committee tells KYPE
There is a procedure to register the commandery in the International List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, Loukia Loizou Hatzigavriel, President of the Cyprus National UNESCO Committee, told KYPE. Among other things, Cyprus has already registered Leukarite embroidery, Tsiattis, Mediterranean diet, chanting and midwifery in the International Catalog, while five new proposals for registration in the National Catalog have been submitted, for which the scientific aspect has been completed of the item being recorded.
To Maria Mannaridou-Karsera, Eduardo Georgiou and Andreas Koutsoftas the THOK Awards 2022
Maria Mannaridou-Karsera, director, translator, theater producer, writer and theater critic, was awarded the Grand Prize of the Cyprus Theater Organization (THOK) for 2022, while the Creator of the Year Award went to Edouardos Georgiou, costume designer and set designer. The New Creator of the Year Award was awarded to the actor Andreas Koutsoftas, who distinguished himself in a series of theatrical performances this year. It is noted that the awarding ceremony of the THOK Theater Awards for the year 2022 was held in the presence of the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulidis.
APRIL 2023
Repatriation of over 80 antiquities to Cyprus from the USA
More than 80 Cypriot antiquities were repatriated from the United States of America (USA). For this purpose, as stated in a post by the Embassy of Cyprus in Washington on Platform X, a ceremony was held in Washington, in the presence of the Director of the Department of Antiquities, Dr. Marina Solomidou-Ieronymidou.
The actor Dimitris Xystras has passed away
The RIK expressed deep sadness and shock at the death of the actor Dimitris Xystra, who, as the RIK states in a statement, "interpreted in a shocking way difficult roles in theater, cinema and television and was one of the most beloved actors in general public, serving theater and acting with ethics". It is also noted that Dimitris Xystras "served the theater with passion and collaborated with THOK, the New Theater of Vladimir Kavkaridis, the Satirical Theatre, ETHAL and the London Art Theatre".
MAY 2023
Special mention for the novel "The Outpost" at the European Prize for Literature
The author Haris N. Spanou was honored by the pan-European committee of the European Prize for Literature with a Special Mention for her novel "To Fylakio". The selection of the book that would represent Cyprus in the competition, the tasks, as well as the representation of Cyprus was undertaken by PEN Cyprus. As stated in a statement of the Cyprus National Academy of Sciences, Dr. Cleitos Ioannidis, upon announcing the recognition of Cyprus by the organizers and the European Commission, stated that every mention of Cyprus is a victory for Cypriot letters and for the national issue of our island.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs proceeded with the establishment of the Department of Cultural Diplomacy
With the culture of Cyprus in front of it in all its aspects and through the centuries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs proceeded to establish a Department of Cultural Diplomacy, which is under the also newly established Directorate of Global Agenda, aiming to create synergies with other states and following the global and European tendency, like every country, along with its own culture to promote others, with multiple cultural, political and economic benefits.
The Head of the Department of Cultural Diplomacy, Stelios Georgiadis, together with the Deputy of the Global Agenda Directorate, Onoufrios Economidis, informed cultural editors of domestic media, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, noting that for 2023 the budget of the department amounted to €160.000.
Repatriation of 36 Cypriot antiquities from Australia
Thirty-six (36) Cypriot antiquities were repatriated from Australia, which were returned following the kind initiative of Australian citizens, who offered to return the antiquities they had in Cyprus. According to an announcement by the Department of Antiquities, the repatriation of the 36 Cypriot antiquities took place thanks to the coordinated actions of the Australian Authorities, the Australian National University, the University of Sydney and the Cypriot Authorities.
JUNE 2023
The Cypriot participation that was awarded in Prague is congratulated by Yf. Culture
The Deputy Ministry of Culture congratulates the national participation of Cyprus which was awarded at the 15th International Exhibition of Scenography and Theatrical Architecture in Prague (PQ). Through a press release, the Deputy Ministry warmly congratulates the curator of the Cypriot participation, Marina Maleni, the artistic researcher and designer of the handmade art installation "Spectators In A Ghost City", Melita Kouta, as well as the entire project team for the awarding of the grand prize organized by Golden Triga. "The award of this work among 59 works from various countries fills us with pride and emotion for Cypriot artists and their success", it is pointed out.
Nicosia claims the title of Cultural Capital 2030
The title of European Capital of Culture 2030 is claimed by Nicosia emphasizing the characteristics of its unique identity, as the last divided capital of the Old Continent. The unanimous decision of the Nicosia Municipal Council to claim the title of European Capital of Culture 2030 was announced by the Mayor of Nicosia, Konstantinos Giorkatzis, at a press conference held in the conference room of the Nicosia Municipal Hall. As the Mayor mentioned at the Conference, the Municipality assigned the preparation of the claim to the company Nicosia For Art and the general coordination of the effort to the former Deputy Minister of Culture, Yiannis Toumazis.
JULY 2023
The Department of History and Archeology PK congratulates the new Deputy Minister of Culture
The Department of History and Archeology of the University of Cyprus, in a statement, congratulates the new Deputy Minister of Culture, Lina (Vasiliki) Kassianidou, and expresses its certainty that the choice of the President will be absolutely confirmed. It is recalled that Mrs. Kassianidou succeeded Michalis Hatzigiannis, who had submitted his resignation a few days earlier.
Recruitment in Larnaca to claim the European Capital of Culture
Larnaca and the province are rallying and claiming the title of European Capital of Culture 2030 because it deserves it and has a lot to offer in the cultural, economic and artistic fields, said Mayor Andreas Vyras, speaking during a presentation of the actions taken so far but also those that will be made in the future in the effort to claim the candidacy of "Larnaka 2030".
Fotos Fotiadis stamped the local theater scene, says Yf. Culture
Deeply saddened by the death of the actor and director Photos Fotiadis, the Deputy Ministry of Culture expresses in a statement that the deceased was an "artist who stamped with his many years of presence the theater scene of our country and especially the theatrical production of ancient Greek drama" .
"The Mountain" the Cypriot proposal for summer at the Library of the Council of the EU
The novel "The Mountain" by Louisa Papaloizou is the proposal of Cyprus in the framework of this year's "Readers of Europe" initiative of the Library of the Council of the European Union. It is noted that the novel in question received the Cypriot State Prize for Fiction for the 2020 editions, while it also received the State Prize for Fiction in Greece in 2021.
AUGUST 2023
Deputy Culture: E. Nikodimou stamped the Cyprus art scene with her work
Deep sadness for the death of the painter Eleni Nikodimou, the Deputy Ministry of Culture expresses in its announcement, a creator, as it says, who stamped with her work and public presence the visual scene of Cyprus in the last forty years. The distinguished visual artist passed away at the age of 68. She was a graduate of the School of Fine Arts of Paris and had presented her work in many individual exhibitions in Paris, Athens, Nicosia, Lisbon, as well as in international events.
SEPTEMBER 2023
Cyprus should become a destination for cultural activities, Kassianidou tells KYPE
My vision is for Cyprus to become a destination for cultural activities, said the Deputy Minister of Culture, Vasiliki Kassianidou, in an interview with KYPE. She said that the bill on the status of the artist, the youth card, and the completion of the construction of the New Cyprus Museum, among others, are among the top challenges of her portfolio. At the same time, the Deputy Minister also referred to the effect that culture can have on the local economy, citing the tourism sector as an example.
To Kyriakos Charalambidis the "Vassilis Michailidis" Overall Offer Award
The Board of Directors of the Literature and Criticism Group (L.C.) decided, in its last session, to award the "Vassilis Michaelides" Overall Contribution Award (2023) to the poet Kyriakos Charalambidis, a leading poet of Cyprus and one of the most important Hellenistic poets. According to an announcement by the O.L.K. "the contribution of Kyriakos Charalambidis derives from the poetic metamorphosis of issues related to the identity, memory, culture and history of Cyprus, as well as Hellenism, in general".
The composer Giorgos Kolias passed away at the age of 43
The news of the death of the 43-year-old composer, Giorgos Kolias, which became known on Social Media, caused sadness in the artistic world of Cyprus. In a statement, the Union of Actors of Cyprus expresses great sadness for the premature death of the composer, noting that "George was a very dear partner and friend of ours and his absence from life but also from musical and theatrical production will be painfully felt" .
The Deputy Ministry of Culture expresses deep sadness over the death of actress Maria Miha
The Deputy Ministry of Culture expresses its deepest sorrow for the untimely death of "the great actress" Maria Micha, who faithfully served the Cypriot theater for decades, in a statement. As mentioned, Maria Micha was born in 1949 in Edessa. He studied at the Karolos Koon Art Theater and the Philosophy School of the University of Athens. It is added that in the 1970s, Maria Micha began participating in theatrical productions of the Cyprus Theater Organization "and stood out for her unique acting talent".
Elena Toumazi Rebelina, one of the most important poets of Cyprus, has passed away
The poet Elena Toumazi, who was also known in the artistic world under the pseudonym Elena Rebelina, passed away at the age of 76. us of poetry. Born in Famagusta in 1974, she graduated from Famagusta Girls' High School in 1947 and soon after studied psychology in Geneva, specializing in child psychology.
OCTOBER 2023
The writer Roula Ioannidou Stavrou has passed away
The writer Roula Ioannidou Stavrou, multi-awarded Cypriot poet and writer, has passed away. The deceased received awards and distinctions from a number of bodies such as the Ministry of Education, the Association of Historical Memory of the EOKA 1955-59 struggle while, among others, she was honored at the Jean Monnet World Competition (2002), at the Nosside World Poetry Prize World Competition (2013, 2014 ), in the International Greek Language Competition EPOK of Greece (Excellence and First Prizes in Poetry, Short Story, Theater and Anthology, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014).
Limassol is a candidate for European Capital of Culture
The people of Limassol are invited to redefine the city and its culture for the next ten years, with the "Limesos 2030" Organization taking on the task of leading the entire effort to secure the title of European Capital of Culture for 2030.
In a press conference, the Mayor of Limassol, Nikos Nikolaidis, expressed his belief that Limassol, as a City of Culture, "has all the guarantees to win this coveted title" and noted that the municipal council decided to establish a non- of a non-profit nature, with the name "Organization of the Cultural Capital of Europe - Limassol 2030", considering that the issue expresses the entire province and not only the Municipality.
The poet K. Charalambidis was awarded for his long-term contribution to culture
Kyriakos Charalambidis is recognized as a national poet, said the Professor of Modern Greek Literature, Pantelis Voutouris, speaking at an honorary event of the House of Representatives dedicated to the poet, which took place in the "Kasteliotissa" hall, in Nicosia.
Awarding of the European Cultural Heritage Award to Habis Tsangaris
The Cypriot engraver Hampi Tsaggaris was awarded the European Cultural Heritage Award (Europa Nostra Awards 2023), which was accompanied by the unveiling ceremony of the Europa Nostra plaque at the Hampi Municipal Museum of Engraving, in Nicosia.
An agreement was signed to create a Europa Nostra hub in Nicosia
An agreement was signed between the Municipality of Nicosia and Europa Nostra for the creation of a hub of Europa Nostra in Nicosia, which will aim to highlight the cultural heritage. The agreement, in which the University of Cyprus, the Cyprus Institute and the Leventis Foundation participate, was signed at Nicosia City Hall.
Cyprus again at the Frankfurt International Book Fair after a long absence
The opening of the 75th Frankfurt International Book Fair was attended by the Deputy Minister of Culture, Dr. Vassiliki Kassianidou, in which, after a long absence, Cyprus is participating again, through the Cyprus Publishers Association. According to an announcement by the Deputy Ministry of Culture, the Frankfurt International Book Fair is the most important event in the publishing world, in which representatives of Cypriot publishing companies had the opportunity to present Cypriot book production.
NOVEMBER 2023
THOK to the Board of Directors of the Synod of Theaters of Europe
THOK participates in the Board of Directors of the European Theater Convention (ETC) with the election of Marina Maleni, Theater Development Officer of THOK, as a Member of the Board of Directors of ETC.
Yannis Toumazis is the new Director of the Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation
Dr. Giannis Toumazis, first Deputy Minister of Culture of the Republic of Cyprus.
DECEMBER 2023
The 2022 State Prizes for Literature have been awarded
The awarding of the State Literature Awards took place at the Pallas Cinema, in Nicosia. The prizes were awarded by the Deputy Minister of Culture, Vasiliki Kassianidou.
The Poetry Prize went to Panagiotis Nikolaidis for the work "Rimacho" (Smili publications), the Fiction Prize to Constantia Sotiriou for the work "Brandy Sour" (Pataki publications), the Short Story/Novel Award to Maria A. Ioannou for the work " The Intermediaries" (Nefeli publications) and the New Writer Award to Pavlos Andreou for the work "Teardrop Ice Cream" (Thraka publications).
The Prize for Literature for Young Children was received by Despina Herakleous for the work "Where did the ghosts go?" (Diaplasi publications), the Literature Award for Older Children and Adolescents to Petros Panau for the work "Epihisi Logos: The Mystery of the Mobile" (Telea publications) and the Award for Illustration of a Literary Book for Children and Adolescents to Chrysos Charalambous for the illustration of the work "1000 ways to squeeze a lemon" (author: Danai Daska, Papadopoulos publications).
Midwifery in the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, with the assistance of Cyprus
The registration of "Midwifery: Knowledge, Skills and Practices" in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, approved by the Intergovernmental Committee of UNESCO, was announced by the Deputy Minister of Culture, Dr. Vasiliki Kassianidou.
In a press conference at the Deputy Ministry of Culture, Dr. Kassianidou informed that the registration of the element "Midwifery: Knowledge, Skills and Practices" in the Catalog was achieved following an application jointly submitted by eight countries from four continents in total, which includes Cyprus.
To Professor K. Athanasiou the Excellence of the Republic of Cyprus for 2023
The Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Kyriakos A. Athanasiou, was awarded the Excellence Award of the Republic of Cyprus for 2023, in the context of the solemn meeting of the Cyprus Academy of Letters and Arts, which took place on Tuesday evening at the Presidential Palace, in Nicosia. The Award of Excellence was awarded to Professor Athanasios by the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulidis.
In addition, the Home Awards of the Academy were awarded to ceramist Valentinos Charalambous and Professor Christos Hatzichristodoulou, as well as the Young Artist Award to the dancer of the Vienna State Opera Ballet, Ioanna Avraam.
Source: KYPE