Political parties, public figures, and Members of the European Parliament are taking political steps in every direction to cancel the illegal festival being organized by a Serbian company on September 18, 2026, at the occupied castle of Kyrenia.
In a letter to Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, the Member of the European Parliament for the Democratic Alarm and the European People’s Party, and Chair of the Delegation to the EU-Serbia Stabilization and Association Parliamentary Committee-Serbia, Loukas Fourlas, is calling for the cancellation of the planned Nexus electronic music festival organized by the Serbian company EXIT Festival.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
Mr. Fourlas is calling for President Vučić’s personal intervention and for the Serbian government to take all necessary measures to prevent the event from taking place.
In his letter, the Cypriot Member of the European Parliament points out that Kyrenia is an integral part of the Republic of Cyprus, while its castle is a monument of inestimable historical and cultural significance to the Cypriot people.
He also emphasizes that holding a major musical event at the occupied Castle, in collaboration with the illegal structures operating in the occupied areas, creates the risk of indirectly legitimizing and normalizing the illegal status quo.
“The Republic of Cyprus has never opposed cultural and artistic exchanges between peoples. Culture is a bridge of friendship and cooperation. However, it cannot be turned into a tool for recognizing or reinforcing illegal secessionist structures,” Mr. Fourlas emphasizes.
In close contact with the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus in Serbia
In parallel with his engagement with Serbian political leaders, the Member of the European Parliament is in open and continuous communication with the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus in Serbia, with the aim of coordinating efforts and utilizing every available channel of communication with the relevant Serbian authorities.
Loukas Fourlas emphasizes that the issue is not about a musical event, but touches on matters concerning sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the international legal status of the Republic of Cyprus.
“We expect Serbia, a country that has consistently supported the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus, to ensure that no Serbian company or organization will contribute, directly or indirectly, to the legitimization of the illegal structures of the occupation,” he notes.
The Member of the European Parliament will continue to closely monitor developments on this issue and remain in contact with the relevant Cypriot and Serbian authorities until the event is completely prevented from taking place. “Kyrenia is occupied territory of the Republic of Cyprus, and its castle is an integral part of our history and cultural heritage. This must be clear to everyone,” concludes Mr. Fourlas
DIKO: Condemnation of the Organization of an International Festival in the Occupied Areas
Meanwhile, in a statement, the Democratic Party condemns the planned organization and international promotion of the NEXUS festival in the occupied Kyrenia Castle.
Such international events cannot be viewed as mere cultural or entertainment events. When they take place on territory of the Republic of Cyprus that is under Turkish occupation and are promoted internationally using terminology that implies a separate state entity, this sends the wrong message, accustoming international public opinion to the fait accompli of the occupation and indirectly normalizing it.
We expect the Government to take the necessary actions and make the appropriate representations immediately, where required.
The occupation does not become any less illegal simply because it is promoted through music, tourism, or international events.
