Republic of Cyprus 50th Anniversary

As part of the celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of its establishment, the Cyprus Republic organizes a series of events in Cyprus and abroad, aiming, on the one hand, to illustrate the history of the island since 1960 and, on the other, to highlight the achievements of the country on a political, social, scientific and cultural level. The events include archaeological and contemporary art exhibitions, concerts, theatre performances, lectures etc. Highlights of the official programme are various flagship events, taking place in Nicosia and other capitals around the world (Athens, London, Brussels, Paris, Washington and Moscow).

The flagship event of 1st October 2010 in Nicosia constitutes the culmination of the anniversary programme, with the President of the Cyprus Republic, Mr Demetris Christofias, as the main speaker. The event will take place in the Tassos Papadopoulos- Eleutheria Stadium, and is a synthesis of music, song, dance-theatre, visual effects and multimedia. In the performative part, many well-known Cypriot artists, mostly young, will contribute with their talent and creativity on stage.

The event of 1st October is based on an idea by Andy Bargilly, who was assigned the artistic direction of all flagship events in Cyprus and abroad, with the exception of Washington DC. The events will be performed under the stage direction and choreography of Machi Demetriadou-Lindal (first part) and Elena Christodoulidou (second part). Consultant director is Evis Gavrielidis, and costume designers are Elena Katsouri and Lakis Genethlis. Responsible for the direction of screenings for the first part is Alexia Roider and Nicos Synnos for the stage /photography/video direction of screenings in the second part. The digital processing/editing and the three-dimensional processing of the films of the first part belongs to Vera Papastavrou, while Christos Georgiou is in charge of the digital processing/frame of the films in the second part. Music, composed by George Kolias, Demetris Zavros, Michalis Hadjiyiannis, Roman Kariolou and Savvas Savva, is a major component of the event. Larcos Larcou took up the music introduction, including music from all the communities of Cyprus. Michalis Hadjiyiannis and Katerina Mina perform songs with lyrics by Andreas Paraschos and Neshe Yashin, respectively. Tony Solomou, Sona Gargaloyan, Michalis Tterlikkas, and other important Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot singers and musicians also participate, alongside many other dancers, presenters, actors and children.

In the first part, the last 50 years of Cypriot history will be reenacted in a performance that recalls the past, but also kindles hope about the future. At the end of the first part, a song about Cyprus will transmit an optimistic message for the island and its people.

The second part will be symbolic and allude to the abolition of the dividing line, as well as the development of Cypriot society into a society for all, under conditions of equality, justice, mutual acceptance and respect. The performance will conclude with a hymn to Peace and Cyprus, with dozens of students from Phaneromeni Elementary School flooding the hall, thus carrying a message for a better future, as well as a message for respect to diversity within contemporary society.

An exhibition of photographic documentation on the history of Cyprus, with emphasis on the 50 years of the Cyprus Republic, will be welcoming the visitors at the two entrances of the Stadium, with various images being projected simultaneously on digital screens.

Many officials from Cyprus and other countries, as well as a large number of visitors are expected to attend the event, which will be open to the public.

The flagship event taking place in Athens is Aristophanes´ comedy “The Clouds”, which will be staged by the Cyprus Theatre Organisation (THOC) at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. The performance will be held on 5 September 2010 at 9 p.m., in the presence of H.E. the President of the Republic, Mr Demetris Christofias. The play is directed by Varnavas Kyriazis and the score is composed by Stamatis Kraounakis. Stage design is by Charis Kafkaridis, costumes by Lakis Genethlis and choreography by Isodoros Sideris. The role of Strepsiadis will be played by Andreas Tsouris, that of Socrates by Stavros Louras and that of Phidippidis by Christodoulos Martas. The Just Discourse will be played by Annita Santorineou and the Unjust Discourse by Elena Efstathiou, with a number of other significant actors cast in the remaining roles. The performance carries over the genius of Aristophanes’ text, in good humour, song and dance.

In Moscow, a concert will be held at The New Moscow Opera on 24 September 2010. The event features the Russian National Academic Orchestra of Folk Instruments “Osipov”, in a composition by Vassos Argyridis and solo performances by Margarita Zorbala, Vakia Stavrou and Alexander Zacharov. The repertoire includes orchestral adaptations of traditional Cypriot dances, some of which are common amongst the Communities of Cyprus, as well as music for film and cycles of song by the Cypriot composer, in Greek and Russian lyrics. The concert will be entitled “Cyprus- Sweet Homeland”.

London will host two different flagship events, the first one being a concert with the Oxford Philomusica Orchestra, under the direction of Marios Papadopoulos and solo performances by Marios Argyros (oboe) and Ayse Karaoglan (violin). The programme features the works “Treasured Island” by Giorgos Georgiades, written especially for the event, “Shall we dance?” by Sophia Sergi, “Rosamunde” Overture (princess of Cyprus) D644 by Shubert, and “Symfony No 9” of the New World by Dvořák. The concert will take place at Cadogan Hall, on 28 September 2010.

At the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C., a significant archaeological and historical exhibition will be on display, covering all periods of Cypriot history, from the Neolithic and Chalcolithic to the Venetian period. The exhibition will be inaugurated for the public on 1st
October, 2010, and will remain open until 30 April 2011. The exhibition, curated by archaeologist Dr Sophocles Hadjisavvas, is a collaboration between the Cyprus Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Antiquities.

On 12 October 2010, Brussels will host a concert by the famous orchestra St. Martin in the Fields, under the baton of famous conductor Sir Neville Marriner and the distinguished Cypriot piano soloist, Mr Martino Tirimo. The event will take place in the historic Flagey
buiding, in the recently renovated Studio 4. The works to be performed are “Octana” by Andreas Moustoukis, “Symfony no 1” in C major by Georges Bizet, and “Piano Concerto No 5 in E flat major, op. 73”, (“Emperor Concerto”) by Ludwig Van Beethoven.

The second flagship event in London is a lecture by Robert Holland, Associate Professor at London University´s School of Advanced Study and Visiting Professor at the Centre of Greek Studies of King’s College London. The lecture, entitled “Independent Cyprus at 50: Reflections Past and Present” will take place on 19 October 2010, in historical Lancaster House, where the London Agreements on the establishment of the Cyprus Republic were signed. Around 200 distinguished guests are expected to attend the event, and a reception will be held upon closure.

All the events described above, excluding the Washington archaeological exhibition, will be accompanied by a special display entitled “9000 Years of History and Culture – 50 Years of Cyprus Republic”, illustrating the history of Cyprus through photographic material, with emphasis on the last 50 years.

The series of flagship events will be concluded with an art exhibition in the Paris Gallery Hotel de Sauroy 58, located in central quarter Marais, near the Picasso museum. The exhibition, carrying the general title “1960-2010 – Glances at Cyprus Art” will be inaugurated on 22 December, 2010, and will remain open until 16 January 2011. On display will be works by Cypriot artists, representing the local visual arts scene of the last 50 years. A conference on Contemporary Cypriot Art and a special catalogue will be complementing the event, which is organized in cooperation with E.KA.TE (The Cyprus Chamber of Fine Arts), and co-curated by Yiannis Toumazis and Andri Michael.