Author Stavros Christodoulou shares his thoughts, suggestions, and feelings about the Nicosia International Festival
Many people make the mistake of trying to decipher art, sometimes by overanalyzing it and other times by rationalizing it. In doing so, they miss the magic of what happens within us every time we encounter authentic artistic creation. Fortunately, I was guided by an instinct from an early age, and so exhibitions and performances “imprinted” themselves on me uncritically, like the marks that the passage of time inevitably leaves on us… From Abramović’s exhibition at MoMA PS1 in New York to Papaioannou’s “One Minute of Silence” at the Old PPC Factory —both examples from my much-loved ’90s. That’s more or less how, with that same mindset, I’ve made my way to the present day. And in much the same way, with the innocence of a spectator facing something new, I found myself in the square in front of the Nicosia Municipal Theater to watch Mario Banoussi’s *Goodbye Lindita*. A production that arrived in Cyprus having won the Silver Lion at the Venice Theater Biennale, and whose profound poetic quality lived up to expectations. A few days later, *The Event* by the Comédie Française, featuring two “big” names— Annie Ernaux as playwright and Françoise Gillard as performer and director—served as a clear reminder that the truth of theater does not require grand gestures or unnecessary effects.
The Nicosia International Festival got off to a strong start, vindicating those who placed their trust in the talented director Paris Erotokritou as artistic director. He not only put together a very interesting program but also created a vibrant hub in the heart of the city. The little bar in the theater’s outdoor area serves as a gathering spot before and after performances, reminding us that art doesn’t need pretentiousness but rather positive vibes and open minds. I was really happy because I ran into the “usual suspects” from my generation there, but even more so because I saw unfamiliar faces and young people. As I was leaving, I found myself thinking that, in the face of the government’s indifference toward culture and the anti-intellectualism of the times we live in, some people will persevere and manage to pleasantly surprise us. Just as Portokaloglou had said back in the distant ’90s: “Out of stubbornness and madness, I’ll live in this country until I ‘find water.’”
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If you, too, are “out of stubbornness and madness” searching for good cultural events, check out the program for the Nicosia International Festival at nif.cy. For my part, I’ve noted five events that piqued my interest:
- *When I Saw the Sea* (September 20) Internationally renowned Lebanese choreographer Ali Chahrour tells a harrowing story of survival.
- Phaedon or Vertigo (September 23 & 24) One of the leading literary figures of the twentieth century recounts the fall from innocence to knowledge. Directed by Andreas Araouzos.
- The Corridor (October 4) Choreographer Fotis Nikolaou presents a performance about mourning, memory, resistance, and identity.
- Sebastián (October 6 & 7) A theatrical performance directed by Vasilis Noulas, honored with the Performing Arts Award by the Union of Theater and Performing Arts Critics of Greece.
- +357 (September 12–November 1) Director Marios Kakoullis creates an intimate experience of connection with “collaborating” Cypriot writers.
