Cyprus 2016 report

The programme aims at supporting choreographers in making new productions and conducting research in the field of contemporary dance.

The programme was launched in 2012 with the aim to encourage the creation of new theatre plays by young or less known playwrights and enable them to eventually produce their work.  

CyMIC was established in 2008 by the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra Foundation, with the purpose to promote and encourage development, production and appreciation of the music created by Cypriot composers and musicians. CyMIC provides specialized information, publications and music scores about the whole range of Cyprus music. For the purposes of music education, a broad range of information sources are being developed. CyMIC also contributes to the broader cultural development and promotes the achievements of Cypriot music artists and acts on their behalf, as an additional dynamic voice in discourses on cultural policy at the national level. CyMIC is a full member of the International Association of Music Information Centres (IAMIC).

In order to encounter contemporary challenges with respect to the new economic models in the field of cultural industry, the Center, together with other European partners, joined forces in 2012 for the implementation of MINSTREL Project. Through the project, organizations of the music sector built a productive cooperation network and implemented a series of actions targeting the transnational mobility of musicians as well as the circulation and dissemination of European music. The overall objective of the project related to the promotion of music diversity at European level in the frame of the 2005 UNESCO Convention.

Cyprus participates in various working groups for culture at EU level. For further information see the report of the European Union.

Based on the belief that access to music is a fundamental human right and a factor contributing to the sustainable development of young people and their communities, Jeunesses Musicales International (JMI), the Cultural Movement EPILOGI (Cyprus) and the Arab Academy of Music (League of Arab States) decided to establish in 2012 the EAYMC in Cyprus, in order to improve cooperation in the fields of youth and music across Mediterranean. Its main objective is to create an enabling environment for cultural exchanges between young people from European and Arab countries and encourage access and participation in activities which generate educational, cultural and social outcomes. Its recent activities include:

1.  Euro-Arab Youth Music Forum (Limassol, Cyprus, 4-6/12/2015): it brought together leading experts and cultural organizations from both shores of the Mediterranean. The theme was: “Music as a medium for cultural expression and dialogue among young people of the European Union and the League of Arab States. From ideas to action: building a framework for cooperative initiative”. The sub-themes included:  i. Engaging young people and audience development practices in European and Arab states, ii. New technologies, knowledge sharing and dialogue”, iii. “Mobility of young artists and professionals” and iv. “Cultural and Youth Diplomacy”.

2. ‘Mediterranean Music Connections: Ethno Cyprus 2016’ (Limassol, Cyprus, 1-16/7/2016) it consisted of a traditional youth music camp. Using music as a starting point, 35 young virtuosos of traditional instruments, from European and Arab countries, created a platform for intercultural dialogue to foster mutual understanding and respect. 

The programme was launched in 2008 and was further developed during the following years in order for the musicians of the Orchestra to reach out to the civil society all over Cyprus. They perform in squares, community and municipal open theatres and cultural centres, schools, various institutions, health and elderly care centres, etc, thus bringing the joy of orchestral music closer to every Cyprus resident or visitor. Aiming at both entertainment and raising orchestral music appreciation and awareness, the programme is composed of popular classics, film music, light orchestral music, orchestrated art or folk songs and dances and jazz music. At the beginning of such concerts there is often a brief presentation by the conductor. Community outreach concerts have free entrance and take place in collaboration with all the communities, municipalities and institutions involved.

Pafos was designated European Capital of Culture, for 2017. The central concept of the Pafos2017 is “Open Air Factory”, which guarantees a wider outreach into all parts of the region and community, mass exposure for the Pafos2017 activities and a shared space open to communication and collaboration.

The concept of the Open Air Factory is not just about the openness of space; it is about tolerance, acceptance, encouragement and inclusion of different cultures, ideas and beliefs. The Open Air Factory encompasses the entire district, both spatially and socially. It has a decentralised structure with various sections, units, and workshops within the centre of Pafos, extending outwards to the district’s municipalities and smaller communities.

The motto pertaining to the activities of Pafos2017 is: LINKING CONTINENTS – BRIDGING CULTURES. The aforementioned motto also expresses the need for linking and bridging the differences between Pafos’ various groups of citizens: residents, visitors and migrants. Moreover, it stresses the importance of uniting the scattered parts of the city and transforming the entire district of Pafos into a common and a shared space for all its citizens – symbolically and physically. Moreover, it highlights the need for bridging the differences between the Greek and the Turkish Cypriot communities through various comprehensive and capacity building projects that Pafos2017 has been developing along the way.

For the implementation of Pafos2017 thousands of volunteers have been involved. There are also certain initiatives within the framework of this institution that aim to build  capacity skills that creative practitioners will need for organising outdoor arts events and civic celebrations (i.e. Pafos School of Spectacle).

The Foundation of Cultural Creativity for Children and Youth was established in 2010 with the aim to create the conditions for artistic creation amongst young people regardless their origin and their economic capacity. More specifically, the Foundation aims at promoting creativity and encouraging access to culture for youth, while at the same time fostering intercultural dialogue and safeguarding cultural identity.

The Foundation’s purpose is to provide equal access and participation in cultural goods, enhancing multiculturalism, promotion and preservation of cultural identity and generally contributing to any cultural and artistic programs and events for young people. The workshops offered in 2016 in the Foundation included:

"Mousikotechnasmata": A musical workshop that promotes love for creativity and artistic expression in children.

"Dive into Colours": programme designed to train kids to adopt a way of thinking that will enable them to develop self-confidence and self-worth in order to balance their emotions and thoughts, and communicate more effectively. The above objectives are achieved through craftsmaking, story-tellling, tours, theatrical expression, writing, music, creative expression, experiments and other group activities.

Music Program for Children and Young People: The program is aimed specifically to children and young people that come from families with socio-economic difficulties, offering them free one-to-one music learning of an instrument (piano, guitar, percussion)

Theatre: Preparation for theatre performances in theatres, communities and other scenes, while participating in the whole process of implementation of a performance (script, set design, technical support, etc.).

Creative Writing Workshops: Through the courses the participants have the opportunity to develop their critical capacity, to improve their writing skills and talent.